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lY

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THE

/:'
,-^>

NAVAL ANNUAL,
1912.
EDITED BY

VISCOUNT HYTHE,
Honorary Fellow of Balliol
;

D.C.L.,

A.I.N.A.,

Commander

of the Order of the

Crown

of Italy.

PART I. Earl

Brassey, G.C.B. Sir William H. White, K.C.B. Commander C. N. Eobinson, R.N. John Leyland Alexander Richardson; and the Editor.
;

PART

IJ.

List of Ships

Commander John Leyland.

:
:

C. N.

Robinson, R.N., and

Plans of Ships

S.

W. Barnaby, M.I.N.A.
C. N.

PART IIL Armour

R.N.

and Ordnance: Commander

Robinson,

PART

IV.

First Lord's Memorandum, and Speech on

Intro-

duction OF
Estimates.

Navy Estimates

British and Foreign

1912.
J.
2,

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AND

CO.,

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PREFACE
With
the growth of naval preparations in almost every country of the world, the

becomes heavier.
her

work of preparing the Naval Annual for publication The only important Power which has not increased
is

new construction during the year under review

is
is

the United States.

(rermany

adding to her naval programme; but even more note-

worthy
order,

the progress of the Navies of France and Eussia.

The

fact

that both countries have set their naval administration in better

and are building up powerful fleets, will tend to preserve the balance of power in Europe. The year has been one of unprecedented activity in British shipbuilding yards. A number of important ships are in hand
for

foreign

navies.

And

it

is

interesting to note that our

great

private shipbuilding firms are extending the sphere of their activities.

Messrs. Armstrong, IMessrs. Vickers, and IMessrs. John

are directly connected with the
in Spain

Brown &

Co.,

new

construction

now

going forward
to

and Eussia, and the first-named firm with that about

be

undertaken in Canada.

Commons on March 18th, the First Admiralty described the steps that will be taken to mainLord of the tain that command of the sea which is absolutely indispensable to our
In his speech in the House of
national existence, and set forth the only lines on which a reduction
of expenditure

on naval armaments can be brought about.

The

determination of the Government, as expressed by the First Lord, has

Hardly a dissentient voice The fact that the people of this country appreciate the importance to them of the Navy, and the growing disposition of the Oversea Dominions to assist the Motherland in the defence of the Empire against aggression, are to a Britisher the most satisfactory
has been raised.
features in the past year.

been received with general approval.

To one point
special

of naval policy referred to in the

following pages

attention

may

be directed.

From time

to

time the argu-

ments against the growth of dimensions have been set forth in These arguments apply with special force the Naval Anniial. to-day as regards the latest type of battle-cruiser, wliich is some 10,000 tons larger and costs from 250,000 to i;500,000 more than type. There is a noticeable growth of earlier vessels of the

IV
opinion

PREFACE.

among naval
which
Sir

constructors and others that the advantage of

is

a knot or two in speed

much

too dearly purchased.

The weighty

William White concludes his chapter, and the paper read by Admiral Sir Eeginald Custance at the Spring meeting of the Institution of Naval Architects, merit the serious consideration of those responsible for the administration of the Navy.
words
Avith

Part

I.

of the present

volume contains the usual reviews

of the

progress of Navies

and

comparative strength, which, for the reasons

already given, involve far more

a few years ago.
ministration.

work for the Editor than was the case Lord Brassey offers some suggestions on Naval Adi

Commander Eobinson contributes an

nteresting account

and Mr. Leyland's paper on Naval War Staffs gives an excellent survey of what is required for the British Navy. Mr. Eichardson discusses machinery problems in high-powered warships. Sir William White, by special request, writes on a subject of which he is a master. Commander Eobinson's work has been carried through in spite of serious illness. Mr,
of the Italian naval operations,

Barnaby remains responsible

for the plates of ships.

Part IV., in addition to the usual matter, contains the First Lord's speech of March 18 th, already referred to, and some papers
regarding the Dominion Navies.

After twenty-one years' work, the Editor had serious thoughts of

The book was by Lord Brassey, in the first instance for the benefit of Naval officers, and secondly to bring together reliable information in convenient form to awaken general interest in the Navy. With these The objects in view it has been continued by the present Editor. Admiralty now circulate to Naval ofiicers far more information than they did some years ago. Other Annuals have come into existence. The Navy League Annual, from being a cheap publication which it was well for the Navy League to issue, has developed into a volume in the style of the Naval Annual, and to some extent competing with it. There might therefore seem to be less reason for carrying on the Naval Annual now than in days gone by. But after consultation with Naval officers and others whose opinion was of value the Editor came to the conclusion that the book was of real service to the Navy and the country, and that the time and trouble devoted to making the information given as reliable as possible were not thrown away.
discontinuing the publication of the Naval Annual.
started

CONTENTS.

PART
CHAPTER
Suggestions on Naval Administration

I.

I.

Earl Brassey

VI

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

PART
Commander
C.

III.

ARMOUR AND ORDNANCE. ORDNANCE TABLES.

N. Kobihson, R.N.

PART
First Lord's Statement

y
PA8E

367 385
395
..

First Lord's

Memorandum on Naval War Staff

British Navy Estimates

Programme of Shipbuilding
First Lord's Speech (House

408

of

Commons, March

18th)

412
435

GUNLAYERS' TeSTS

Battle Practice

in

H.M. Fleet

..

445
446 447
451

AUSTRO-HUNGARIAN NaVY ESTIMATES

French Navy Estimates

German Navy Estimates

Italian

Navy Estimates

453
455

Japanese Navy Estimates

Russian Navy Estimates

456
457

Turkish Navy Estimates

United States Navy Estimates

Imperial Conference, 1911
:

458
459

The Defence Scheme

Suggestions

Australian Navy: Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson for Naval Board ..

462
467

Numbers of Perhonnel of Principal Navies

LIST OF ILLUSTEATIONS.

H.M.S. Monarch
H.M.S. Dartmouth
.

Frontispiece

facing

-page

26 38 45

Danton (French

battleship)

Kaiser (German battleship)

Moltke (German battle-cruiser)

Imperator Pavel
I.

46
53

(Russian battleship)
battle-cruiser)

Von

der

Tann (German

138

DIAGRAM
Showing the Expenditure on New Construction during the
years from 1880-81 to 1912-13

facing page 411

PAET
CHAPTEK

I.

I.

Suggestions on Naval Administration.

In submitting some suggestions on naval administration, the writer well knows how slender is the aid which outsiders can give to
those
in

places

of responsibility.

Points in connection with the

Auxiliary services

may sometimes

be

overlooked.

The

present

paper

is

largely compiled from

the contributions of past years to

the Naval Annual.

unduly

to the public charge has

To maintain supremacy at sea without adding been the aim continually in view.
to a vast total
:

Eeluctantly following naval developments elsewhere, the British Navy Es-

Navy Estimates have been brought

compared

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

it

construction should be required,

may

be possible to put a check

on expenditure
Manning.

for other services.

xhis brings us to the policy in regard to manning.

we

far

exceed the two-Power

standard.

Costs

of

In numbers manning must

be high under a voluntary system.

Navy Pay, 1911-12.

Numbers.
Great Britain United States

Wages.
7,511,500 7,206,211 1,910,010 2,533,043

....

Germany
Prance

[l910
)
|

134,100 60,500 57,355 57,500

on

In addition to wages and victualling, expenditure must grow the maintenance of ships kept in commission, largely for
of
training.

purposes

The

cruisers

of

the

larger

classes at sea

under
flags.

the

British

flag

vastly

outnumber

those

under

foreign

The Admiralty insist on manning all effective ships with full In this they stand alone. No naval of permanent men. Power has ever yet maintained in peace the full numbers required
crews
in war.

In the greatest period of our naval history the

fleets

were

not manned by permanent men. The number of seamen in the British Navy was increased from 17,000 in 1792 to 120,000 in from 78,000 in 1802 to 140,000 in 1808. In the Crimean 1798 War the numbers were increased from 39,000 in 1852 to 76,000 In the Civil War, the personnel of the Navy of the in 1853. United States increased from 7000 men at the beginning to In the w^ar with Spain, the numbers 58,000 men at the close.
;

were doubled.
Highly
trained

men

not necessary
ratings.

ratings,

Permanent men are required for gunnery, torpedo and signalling and for other services. Many duties may be efficiently performed, under supervision, by untrained men. When the ships of all nations were assembled at Spithead to do honour to his late lamented Majesty, on the occasion of his Coronation, the Out of a present writer paid a visit to the American flag-ship. total crew of 700 men, no less than 135 were drawn from the inland States, chiefly from Chicago and the vicinity. The captain They had fully compenof the ship spoke highly of these men. sated for their inexperience as seamen by the pains they had taken to acquire a knowledge of their duties. In addition to the novices the complement included ninety-five apprentices. The ship's company was regarded by their officers as thoroughly efficient, although consisting, as to a full third of the total number, of

MANNING.
untrained men.

In the

fleets of all

the Naval Powers, a considerable

percentage of the crews are landsmen.

In comparisons of strength,

we do

not reckon foreign ships to be inefficiently manned.

The continual increase in the demands for manning the Navy Lord was viewed with apprehension by Lord George Hamilton, a Naval HamffIn his Memorandum on Navy ^^adniinistrator of long experience. described the steps which he proposed to P2stimates for 1902, he " It seemed to be quite take for the reinforcement of the Eeserve unreasonable to expect that the whole of the extra force, required
:

to

man

om* greatly increased Fleet, should exclusively consist of

and men on the permanent establishments of the Navy, of continuous service, and entitled to pension. He was anxious to associate the increase of the permanent establishments with a steady growth in the numbers and efficiency of the Eoyal Naval
officers

Reserve."

In fixing the numbers of the permanent men, the probable Lord

wastage in naval warfare must be considered.
discussed at the Colonial Conference of 1907.

naval policy Lord Tweedmouth said

question of manning was a very important one. The present view of the Admiralty undoubtedly was, after very careful consideration of the whole subject, that the conditions of modern war probably would lead rather to the loss of ships than of men. The results of the Japanese "War, and other experience, had shown that there was always a considerable number of men saved, even if a ship be lost, and that the loss of men in battle was smaller in naval warfare than on land. As war went on we should find that we had a number of men at our disposal, whose ships had been either damaged or lost."
:

" The

This subject was mouth, In his address on

On

naval as on other questions, opinions, perhaps unconsciously,

depend on the point of view. The Colonial Governments had offered assistance in the maintenance of the Imperial Navy by the enrolment of Naval Reserves. The Admiralty had desired to obtain financial
aid.

Hence, perhaps, the statement that reinforcements of the

present
to

personnel were not urgently required.

the

If the Naval Members of Board concur in the opinion of the Admiralty, as

conveyed

the Colonial Conference in

1907, the necessity

may

seem less urgent than formerly for a continued increase in the numbers of our permanent men. Whatever be the view as to the reliability of Reserves and as to Numbers ^" wastage, the demands for the permanent force must be based on the number of effective ships which the Admiralty undertakes to man.
If

we

place ships in reserve in the great ports of the outer Em])ire,

the Colonial Governments

may

help in regard to manning. B 2

It is

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

necessary to distribute as well as to concentrate our forces.
serving at the Admiralty at the time of the Penjdeh incident.
I

was

War

with Kussia was imminent.

We

Australasia, doing a Colonial

were ill prepared. In the ports of and oversea trade, now reckoned in

hundreds of millions, a panic prevailed, not altogether unwarranted, humiliating to the homeland, responsible for giving protection, and
with no
Sydney.
fast vessels in

our squadrons.
fitted

Two

steamers of the P. and 0.

Company were hastily

out as cruisers at

Hong Kong and

Heavy expenditure was

incurred

no hastily improvised

force can be really effective.

Let us take warning from the past. As we continue from year to year to build cruisers specially designed for naval operations in European waters, we should place in reserve in the ports of the
outer Empire vessels which we can spare, and which may for many years be valuable for the protection of the coasting trade of Australia,
if

threatened by a stray raider.

if

It

Imperial resources

the complements could be

Naval Eeserves

of the Colonies.

would relieve the pressure on the filled up from the This subject will be resumed later

Commissions and Committees

in dealing with the scrapping of ships. We have now to consider the steps to be taken for the reinforcement of the Eeserves. The subject has been examined again and

on Manning.

Commissions and Departmental Committees, on which able statesmen have served. The continuous-service system, which has given to the Navy our force of permanent men, was introduced, in pursuance of the recommendations of a Committee of Naval Officers, appointed in the year 1852 by the Duke of Northumberland, then First Lord of the Admiralty. Our Eoyal Naval Eeserve force, recruited from the Merchant Service and the fisheries, was created on the recommendations of a Eoyal Commission, appointed in 1859, to consider the manning of the Navy by methods more suitable than the press gang. In 1902 a Committee, of which Lord St. Helier was Chairman, inquired into " the increasing employment of lascars and foreigners in the Merchant Service, and the effect of such employment upon the reserves of seamen of British In 1903 nationality available for naval purposes in peace and war." Sir the Admiralty appointed a Committee on the Naval Eeserves. Edward Grey was Chairman. The Navy was represented by Sir
again by Eoyal

Edward Seymour, Admiral Henderson and

shipowners, by the late Sir Alfred Jones

Sir
;

Hedworth Lambton
the Treasury, by Sir

Francis Mowatt;

and the Board of Trade by Mr. Clarke Hall.

in

The proposals
based on
colleagues.

set forth

the

present
of
Sir

Memorandum
Edward

are largely

the

recommendations

Grey

and

his

RESERVES.

to the consideration of suggestions for the Reserve's As a preliminary J ir present strength. reinforcement of the Eeserve, let us note the present strength.

11
Number
1902-03
27,280 10,500 5,578

Roval Naval Reserve Royal Fleet Reserve

Pensioners Colonial Reserves
Roj-al

Naval Artillery Volunteers

Total Reserves
. . .

voted 1911-12 20,335 17,150 7,550 1,550 4,400

50,985

48,358

The
service.

first

reserves for

manning the Navy

are the Coastguard

and

Coast-

the Marines.

The Coast-guard are seamen of long and meritorious They may be kept up to date by re-qualifying in the

training establishments.
afloat

When

mobilised they give to the Service

They exemplify to the example of good discipline. younger men the reward the Service has to offer to those who deserve.
the
It is regrettable that the

In the
never failed

number of the Coast-guard has been reduced. Eoyal Marines we possess another reserve, which has
us.

Marines.

While the Seaman-class men have been continually have been cut down. The recent policy seems unwise. The JNIarines are an amphibious force, specially adapted to our requirements good soldiers on land on board ship well disciplined and a working power, giving to the Navy some
increased, the Marines

gunners of rare

skill.

Passing from the forces permanently embodied,

trained in the Navy, and

we

turn to

who have done

some years

service in the Fleet.

the creation of the lioyal Fleet Eeserve,

men who

leave the

men By Navy

^5*^^^

Reserve,

without pensions, but

not, as

witli

of training in the Fleet, are

formerly, lost to the country.

Fleet Eeserve has

made good

the reduction in

The increase in the Eoyal numbers in the Eoyal

Stokers.

Naval Eeserve. Turning to the means of recruiting from the Mercantile Marine and the civil population, trained stokers are the men whom the Navy chiefly needs. Sir Edward Grey's Committee was satisfied that the Merchant Service firemen would do good work in the stokehold and be amenable to discipline. The Navy Estimates for 1911-12 provide for a reserve of 5 GOO stokers. With a Mercantile Marine which gives employment in steam vessels to a quarter of a million of men, there sliould be no difficulty in increasing the numbers as required. Eecruiting should be under the supervision of retired engineers,
stationed at the chief mercantile ports.

All the seventeen

officers at

present employed in the recruiting service are retired officers of j\Iarines.

The Navy requires firemen for service in tropical climates. The Committee on Eeserves recommended that a Eeserve of Lascars and

Lascar

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Kroomen should be
enrolled.
Large;

numbers
Lord

are

employed

in the

trade under the British flag with the East by the Suez Canal, passing

through the hottest region of the globe.

St. Helicr's

Committee

formed a most favourable impression of the lascars, belonging to the ISTorthern races of India, who had come before them as witnesses. They did not feel competent to express any decided opinion on their

employment

in men-of-war.

They had no doubt

of their desire to

be so employed, or of their competency, at least in the capacity of

stokers and firemen.
Royal Naval Volunteers.

The Committee on Eeserves reported that a body of volunteers would prove a most useful auxiliary branch of the personnel of the Navy in time of war " With only a slight knowledge of sea work, but with training in the use of naval arms, landsmen would be a])le The first enrolments on occasion to render most useful service." were made when Lord Goschen was first Lord of the Admiralty. The recruits of those early days were full of zeal and enthusiasm,
:

not, perhaps,

always associated with ready submission to authority. They insisted too much on being classed as executives and as seamen.

They were disbanded,

in six divisions

to the great regret of all concerned.

On

the

advice of Lord Fisher the force has been reconstituted and organised

Commander

London
Clyde
Tyneside
Sussex
Bristol

The Hon. Eupert Guinness, C.B. Marquess of Graham, C.B.

Commander

Lloyd, Pi.N., C.B.

Viscount Curzon.

The Hon. Cyril Ward,

Lieut. E.N.

Mersey

Sir Eichard Bulkeley, Bart.

staff of instructors.

The Admiralty provide an admirable

have been

They

liberal in appropriations for the construction of drill sheds.

Colonial

Naval
Reserves.

The force now numbers over 4000 efficients. On the Clyde and the Tyne the newly entered men are recruited largely from building yards, in which ships of the most powerful type are constructed for the Navy. It would be possible to raise volunteers in large numbers. After a short training they would be efficient for many duties, and The Committee especially as a reserve to the artificers of the Fleet. on Eeserves recommended the enrolment of volunteers as a Eeserve to the Marines, and to receive a similar training. The Colonies are well able to give Eeserves for the manning of At Colonial Conferences, Premiers and Ministers have the Navy. enlarged with just pride on the quality and number of their maritime
populations.

In his address to the Colonial Conference of 1907, it was claimed by Sir Eobert Bond, on behalf of Newfoundland, that

RESERVES.
the fisheries of that Island gave
"

employment to 60,000 hardy men. For more than 400 years they had been a recruiting ground for the Some 500 men have already been enrolled as a British Navy." The reports as to Eeserve, and embarked in His Majesty's ships. discipline, sailor-like qualities and efficiency have been most satisfactory, A Naval Eeserve of 5000 men could be raised in

On the same occasion Mr. Brodenr pointed to the which the Government of Canada had made to train Eeserves They had been the first among the States of the for the Navy. Outer Empire to fit out sea-going ships for training. The seafaring people of Canada number not less than 70,000 men. The number Australia has a considerable seafaring population. available as recruits for the Naval Eeserves exceeds 30,000 men. Eear-Admiral Sir William Cresswell, first Naval Member of the Board of Naval Administration for the Commonwealth, has l)een an able and strenuous advocate for the creation of a local naval force. He has recommended the enrolment of a Eeserve of 5000 men for
Newfoundland.
efforts

service, not limited to the Australasian

Squadron.

He

has developed

schemes

for

enrolment and training, and shown the

many

services

which the Australian Eeserves could render to the Imperial Navy. All squadrons east of Suez and west of the Horn could be most rapidly and safely reinforced from Australia. The Australian Eeserves might take the place of continuous-service men, who would
be better utilised in the Battleship Squadrons.
for

The Navy Estimates

550 Naval Eeserve men in Australia, onetenth of the number which Admiral Cresswell desired to enrol. It

1911-12 provide

for

is

a beginning.

The enrolment

of Colonial

Eeserves

is

commended by

those

Political
tjous.

political considerations

on which the Committee on Eeserves

insisted,

In their view a proportion of the company of every ship on a foreign

station should consist of Colonial Eeserve

men.

If this rule were

observed,

it

would encourage the

spirit of partnership in the

Imperial

Navy and
If the

the total

distribute Eeserve men evenly through the whole fleet. recommendations respectfully submitted should be adopted, strength may be as under
:

Eoyal Fleet Reserve

Eoyal Naval Eeserve
Eoyal Naval Volunteers
Stoker Eeserve Lascar Eeserve
Colonial Eeserve
Total

o 0,000

15,000
5,000 5,000 5,000

10,000

70,000

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

The Eeserves
as proposed for the British

Navy do

not exceed

those of Continental Powers.

With

stronger and more fully trained

Eeserves there should be no present need for a larger force of

Scrapping.

permanent men. "VVe have now

to consider the training of Colonial Eeserves and, It should

tlie

in this connection, the scrapping of ships.

be the policy

of the Admiralty to give all the aid they can to

Colonial Govern-

ments, in their patriotic endeavour to relieve the homeland of the heavy charge for their local defence. The Colonial naval forces will require gunnery ships and small cruisers for that training at sea which is essential to efficiency. Ships have been scrapped which would have been valuable in Australasia.
It has

been a wise policy, largely due to the

initiative of

Lord

Fisher, to put out of the dockyards vessels hopelessly inefficient for

every service.

The policy may be

carried too far.

At

the Admiralty

eyes are ever fixed on the latest ships of the most formidable foreign

naval position as

Power which we must be prepared to meet. We have to look at the And first let it must be considered in Australia.
Japan
has

seas.

Ships of the latest type are few in distant two Dreadnoughts built, and three building. The other battleships of the Japanese Navy, eleven in number, are similar in armament, protection, and speed to the battlesliips we have lately sold at nominal prices. The list included ten ships completed as recently as 1894 two, the Nile and Trafalgar, completed in 1900 all of large dimensions, powerfully armed, of
us take the battleships.

good speed, with ample coal and in sound condition.

work

of destruction goes forward, the fifteen older ships

As the supply now on the

Canopus

list of effectives

may

shortly disappear.

We

have
;

six sliips

900,000 and nine Majesties, date 1894-6, cost 1,000,000. These ships carry four 12-in. and twelve 6-in. guns. Amidships and in the gun positions they are stoutly armoured. They are well adapted for service as gunnery
type, date of launch 1897-9, cost
ships.

able

in

They would greatly strengthen the flotillas at present availAustralasian waters. The great ports of Australasia

Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Wellington, Hobart

The channels of approach are narrow and tortuous, between banks and shoals, in some parts too far from the land for effective defence by shore
are situated at the head of deep inlets of the sea.
batteries.

When the present writer was serving as Governor of Victoria, Vice-Admiral Sir George Neville was in command of the Naval
forces.

The

local

Navy was
vessels

a harbour-defence

flotilla,

consisting

chiefly of torpedo

and gunboats.

It included

one small

SCRAPPING.
coast-defence
vessel

9
in

monitor, the

Cerberus,

liiunched

1868.

Such a

might have been put aside in Home waters as obsolete. Far away under the Southern Cross, a different appreciation may be formed as to the fighting efficiency of vessels. In a report addressed
Cerberus should be kept in a state of efficiency.

to the Minister of

Defence Sir George Neville strongly urged that the His recommendarested

upon considerations which apply The attack would be sudden. The generally to Australian defence. Australian squadron would be concentrated, and possibly 2000 miles away. It was necessary to possess some means of defence by local The vessels making the attack would be forces afloat and ashore. unarmoured fast cruisers, unable to withstand the fire of heavy guns.
tions as to

the Cerberus

Under cover

of darkness
forts.

it

would be possible
If

to force

wide entrances
could be

defended by fixed
vessel would recommended

In the narrow inshore channels an armoured

the Cerberus

effectively bar the way.

as effective for

port defence,

many

vessels

we have

lately sold should have been deemed worth repair and maintenance for purposes of harbour defence, and as gunnery ships. We have been hasty in the scrapping of cruisers. In the Minute on Admiralty policy presented to Parliament in 1905 it is contended

that cruisers deficient in speed are at a hopeless disadvantage as

scouts.

Eegard should be had

to other services for

which they might

be required, and especially for the protection of trade in distant seas,

enemy.

beyond the range of the latest and most powerful cruisers of the In " the long wash of Australasian seas," in the brave west winds and southerly " busters " of the Southern Ocean, length and displacement are telling factors. In al)ility to keep the sea in
the Southern Ocean, the cruisers of the earlier type are superior to
vessels of higher speed but smaller dimensions,

which the Govern-

ment of the Commonwealth have been recommended to build. If the policy of late years is followed, the Diadem class, as the oldest on the
list

of protected vessels,

may prematurely

be consigned to the scrap

heap.

They deserve

a better fate.

Passing from the armoured sliips required for gunnery instruction and harbour defence, and the cruisers for the defence of commerce, we turn to ships of the smaller classes. Gunboats and third-class
cruisers,

such as those scrapped for no defect except their insufficiency

of speed,

would be excellent vessels

for training purposes in

New-

foundland, the Canadian ports, in South Africa and in Australasia.

The utilisation of small cruisers for training of reserves was recommended in a Memorandum on Australian Defence by Captain Muirhead Collins, K.N., some time permanent head of the department dealing with defence in the colony of Victoria, and now filling

10

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Commonwealth.

a high post in the office of the Australian

practical
"

The

recommendations
is

may

be quoted

One thing
is

clear,

namely, that the present system of local

naval defence

entirely unsatisfactory.

Everyone will agree that

the Colonies should take

some

active share in naval defence.

We
In

have in Sydney a naval brigade formed largely of

men who had

in.

previously served in the Koyal Navy, with no ships to drill

Melbourne Me have a naval brigade and only a harbour defence. In South Australia and Queensland there are naval brigades and a small class of vessel. What is wanted is the establishment of naval reserves, with adequate means of training and instruction in sea-going
ships.
"

There

is

at the several ports,

no reason why ships in reserve should not be stationed and made use of for this purpose. It would be

quite possible to drill a reserve effectively without, perhaps, the

condition of a six-months' continuous service.

at the different ports, the

With

ships stationed

members

of the reserve could be periodically

;

embarked

for cruises

extending from a week to three weeks

drills

and,

on board ship in harbour. Such a scheme might carry out the recommendations of the Conference, without having a permanent nucleus of these vessels in
reserve raised by the Colonies.

not only that, they could put in other

The permanent portion

of the force

might be Imperial."

The policy
self-governing
for building

it

has been sought to

in

recommend would

relieve the

Dominions
ships.

new

no inconsiderable degree of the charge Admiral Henderson estimated the first coBt
at ^623,000,000,

under his comprehensive scheme and the annual charges at 5,000,000.

of the ships proposed

At

the Colonial Conference lately held, a

Memorandum was

pre-

sented by the Admiralty enumerating the vessels, of which

smallest Fleet unit should consist
1
:

the

armoured cruiser, Indomitable class, new, 3 unarmoured cruisers, Bristol class,

6 destroyers,

3 submarines.

For construction the estimate was taken at 3,700,000 for Let it cost was put at 600,000. be noted that Australia, alone of all the Dominions, has favourably In addition considered shipbuilding proposals on an adequate scale.
;

manning and upkeep the annual

Navy, the cost of the new defence scheme, adopted on Lord Kitchener's recommendation, is estimated, in the initial stage, at 1,130,000 annually, to be increased in a few years
to the charge for the

TRAINING.
to 2,000,000.

U
Common-

The

total appropriations of the Australian

wealth to defences were estimated for 1910-11 at 2,713,424.

Expenditure from Colonial excliequers on the greatly increased

scale lately

recommended must he spread over a long space of

time.

In the interval which will elapse before all the ships proposed for the
local navies are completed,

we may,

at little cost to our homeland,

confer a real boon on our kin beyond the sea.

We

may, as

it

has

which would materially increase the means of defence, at least from such forms In doing this of attack as it is necessary to prepare to meet. essential work of co-operation we create a new bond of Empire. Having dealt with the reserves, the training of merchant seamen Boy may be briefly considered. The ISTavy should never lose touch with seamen, our Merchant Navy, the mainstay of our strength, the pride and glory of the country. The qualities of the British seaman have been eloquently described by Lieutenant Miller in command of the school" While none of the races which follow the sea ship Conway lascars, negroes, Frenchmen, Danes and Swedes are wanting in good qualities, the Briton will do more hard work of any kind and
been
said,

place

vessels

in

reserve in

Australasia,

do

it

better

he will be less dismayed in time of danger

he will
All

struggle on longer and die harder at the last, faithful to the end.

the best qualities of the grand race to which he belongs are to be

found in him."

Let us not practise paltry economy in the provision

seamen.

for the training of

Every Commission and Committee of Inquiry has recommended The Manning Commission of 1860, to which reference has already been made, in their Pteport, drawn, as it is supposed, mainly by Lord Cardwell, recommended
that State aid should be given for training.
that twelve school-ships should be established at the principal ports.

In each ship one hundred boys were

of the State.

to be in training at the

expense

was estimated at 40,000. Descending to our own times, in 1906 a Committee was appointed to inquire into the supply and training of boy seamen. Lord Devonport was the chairman. Shipowners were ably represented by Sir Alfred Jones, Sir Walter Piunciman, ]\Ir. Charles Wilson, and Mr. Stephen Furness. The Committee recommended State aid under prescribed conditions.
cost
" Seeing," they said, "

The annual

how

closely the interests of this country are

it

connected with those of the shipping industry,

insist

is

needless to

on the importance of proper provision being made for the training of sailors for the Merchant Service. We are of opinion that
there
is

ample

justification for State assistance.

to

It

should take the

form of a capitation grant

approved training institutions."

in

The
boy

Committee recommended a grant of 20

respect

of

each

12

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

tlie

trained for the sea service,

number

of boys in training not to

exceed 5000.

At the Conference lately held in London under the auspices the Navy League, Mr. Geoffrey Drage in the chair, the managers
They spoke with one
necessary funds
for

of

of

every training ship maintained by private benevolence were present.

voice.

They declared
effective
finest

it

impossible to raise the

of

the

training

boys in adequate
is

numbers.
Board.

The Exmouth, the

training ship in the world,

maintained by the funds supplied by the Metropolitan Asylums

The standard

of efficiency attained

could not have been

reached unless the means had been provided from sources less
precarious than voluntary subscription. State aid should not be limited to harbour ships.

Shipowners

should be encouraged to take apprentices for training at sea.

The

is unanimous that the training is The advantages were commended to the Committee on the Training of Boy Seamen by the owners of the Allan Line steamers in

testimony
ships.

best given in sailing

an interesting Memorandum.
the recognised training school.

" Sailing ships," they say, " have been

The length of their voyages at sea, compared wdth those of steamers, and the character of the w^ork on
board, give
greater
is

opportunity for the instruction of the

;

sailor.

Observation

sharpened

energy, endurance and resource in times

The cost of and strengthened." harbour ships. sailing ships as in in same training is about the the to sea in On a late occasion the Marine Society sent 200 boys sailing ship Illawarra, on a round voyage to and from Australia. The cost was 25 per boy, or approximately the amount taken in all estimates of the cost of training by Commissions and Committees,
of emergency are all stimulated

and considerably below the charge in the training establishments for the Eoyal Navy. We must look to the Board of Trade to take The cost of subsidies tlie initiative in the training of boy seamen. The amount would be small should fall on the votes for education. The Admiralty should be ready in relation to the total expenditure. of competent instructors. supply and in the supervision in to give help
Officers

State aid in the national

work

of training for the sea should not

^^^-

be limited to
years

seaman-class men.
officers.

There
officers'

highly trained

Two

need in the Beserves for school-ships have for many

is

Worcester in the Thames, and the Conway in the Mersey. The education in these ships leaves nothing The training in the school-ships is not followed up. to be desired.

been

established

the

There
officers

is

no organised system

of the Mercantile Marine.

experiment in sailing ships

education at sea of young The writer 'made a successful under the management of Messrs.
for the

TRAINING.
Devitt and Moore.
private effort.

13

of the officers of the

To make adequate provision for the sea training Naval Eeserves is far beyond the scope of

At

great cost to the State, the cadets reared in the

and complete professional training. The Admiralty should make some provision for the education of cadets of the Naval Iveserve. In closing these recommendations, the Report of the Eoyal
receive a liberal education

Navy

Commission

on

Manning

may

appropriately

be quoted

"

We

"in the Mercantile Marine elements of naval It is in the strength such as no other country in the world enjoys.
possess," they said,

power

of the

Government

to

draw

closer to the State, at the

moment

of danger, the loyal enthusiasm of those on

whom

your Majesty
is

must

rely.

While the primary

object of

any scheme of training

it

at the public charge is protection

from the hazards of war,

an

advantage not lightly to be valued that the enrolment, training,

and maintenance of a Eeserve must improve the position and elevate the character of British seamen of both the Services, and knit them together in the firm bonds of reciprocal feeling and of common
interests."

In this connection some observations

to the training of

may

perhaps be made as Training

boy seamen

for the

Navy.

The present system

;

is

seamon
^^

perfect in the beginning in the shore establishments

it

leaves some-

Navy.

thing to be desired in the more important stage

first

when

the boys are

sent to sea.

former days.

The instruction must materially differ from that of In some essential features it must remain as before.

Sea conditions are unchangeable

Calm
iu all time, . or convulsed in breeze, or gale, or storm Icing the Pole, or in the torrid clime,

Dark-heaving

In whatever type of ship they serve, qualities are needed in the

crews which can only be acquired at
of training the total disappearance of
I
sea.

Training-ships

making

rapid passages under steam cannot be the best school.

For purposes
is

masted vessels

regrettable.

have belbre

me

an interesting letter from Sir Beauchamp Seymour,

dated from the Helicon, Bocche di Cattaro,

as training-ships for ordinaries."

November

9,

1880,

He

deals with the difficulty at that time experienced in " finding vessels

that the like difficulty

History repeats itself. It is reported found to-day in sending boys to sea from the training establishments on shore. The numbers are large and
is

increasing.

Estimates, 1911-12 l>oys (service), 2161 boys (training, seamen class), 1911-12, 4340 1910-11, 3295 boys training (artificer and artisan), 6220; total boys, 7121. For the first training of boys
:

14

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

at sea the mastless battleships, as it has been said, are not the ideal

type.

Sir

Beauchamp Seymour proposed

and

to build special

masted

vessels of moderate displacement

fitted

with auxiliary engines.

He would
for guns.

not attempt to arm ships specially designed for training

;

boys in seamanship

the ports would be fitted for ventilation and not

to the cruising-ground

His recommendations as

might with
"

advantage be followed in the present day when the Battle Fleets

are concentrated in

Home

waters.

"

When," he
;

said,

you have

got your training-ships, the question remains

where

to

send them.

England is no place for the youug fellows the bad weather you have in the Channel knocks the heart out of them, and wherever you go I would have the Mediterranean the there is leave or grumbling. cruising-ground, and send the drafts of boys out there as they leave There is plenty of bad weather here, too, the harbour training-ships. but it is not the wretched, wretched work of the Channel or the Bay I would let the ships visit all the in an easterly gale in February. seaports on either side of the Mediterranean I believe that a service After many years as a yachtsman of this sort would be popular." in the Mediterranean, the present writer would commend the south coast of the Peninsula, between Lagos Bay and Carthagena, as an From whatever quarter ideal cruising-ground in the winter months. the wind may blow, it is always possible to take shelter under the With a training squadron based on Gibraltar, the problem of land.
;

dealing with boys on

first

going to sea would be solved in the best

way and
Auxiliary
cruisere.

at the least cost.

The physical training

to reserves of ships.

aloft

would tend

to higher efficiency in all the ratings in the

and on deck Navy.

From

reserves of

men

In opposing the

ratification of the Declaration of

London, Chambers of Commerce

have complained chiefly of the danger to trade from the conversion

of merchant steamers into cruisers on the high seas.
as

Having

failed,

might have been expected,

to

induce the military powers, who

have no naval stations in distant waters, to give up the right they claim to convert merchant ships into cruisers on the high sea, let us
not neglect the means of defence which
Mercantile Marine, by the conversion of
the British flag into auxiliary cruisers.

we have at command in the our many fast vessels under

of the

The naval advisers and administrators

United States were

among

the

first to

appreciate the importance of auxiliary cruisers.

as follows

In a Keport of 1869 the Secretary of the United States Navy wrote " There is another element of defence in time of danger, perhaps as effective as any other available to wise and liberal
:

statesmanship, and such

means would be

at

hand

if

we had

lines of

ocean-going steamers of high speed and able to keep the sea for any

AUXILIARY CRUISERS.
length of time.
ship of war.

15

Any

of the ships could be converted quickly into a

comparatively small force of this kind, appropriately

armed, and

on the ocean, under the command of hold and would be a dangerous foe to the commerce of any Our own ships were substantially driven from the seas by country. two or three roughly equipped vessels much inferior in power to
let loose

intelligent officers,

those of which I have spoken."

Subventions to mercantile cruisers were strongly advocated by

paper read at the Institute of

Barnaby when Chief Constructor to the Navy. In a Naval Architects in 1878, he proposed steamships in the Merchant Service should be placed that the fastest on an Admiralty list. They should be specially adapted for service as cruisers, by internal sub-divisions, more complete than would be Armaments required in ships built solely for purposes of commerce. and fittings were to be prepared and kept in store at naval stations, The crews would be completed from as well as at Home ports. Home and Colonial Eeserves. In the discussion" on Sir Nathaniel Barnaby's paper. Admiral Sir Frederick Grey gave the lessons of his long experience " The idea of trusting to our merchant ships at all has been deprecated. Now, having been at the Admiralty, and felt
Sir Xathaniel
:

the difficulty of providing even in

to fulfil
it

peace time the force necessary

the various duties devolving on our ships of war, I think

would be utterly impossible for the Navy alone to provide suffimerchant ships." At a later date similar proposals were approved by Sir Cooper Key and Sir Anthony Hoskins. The policy advocated in former days by the naval authorities was supported by leading shipowners. An able paper was contributed to the Nautical Magazine by the late Lord Inverclyde: "There never was a time in the history of this country when the subject of the efficiency of the Eoyal Navy occupied a position of greater
cient protection for our

importance than

it

does at present.

Our

risks lie in the fact that

the fleets of other nations are fast becoming powerful and reliable and whilst no Navy can numerically approach that of this country, yet there are nations in Europe whose fleets combined would undoubtedly give us enough to cope with. How then can we stride ahead as the greatest maritime Power and hold our own against the fleets of the world ? Not by being satisfied with increasing the strength of the Navy proper, which, owing to the prodigious cost of modern vessels, can only be done in a comparatively small degree. But what cannot be accomplished in that direction can be attained by other means ready to our hand, and that is by utilising the
vessels of the Mercantile Marine."

The Admiralty has not been negligent

of its duty in pushing the

16

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

The number can never be sufficient to give Behind the regularly built cruisers, in distant waters, south of the line, and in the far East, The cost to the State would auxiliary cruisers may do good service. be inconsiderable as compared with the building of regular cruisers. It is not necessary to insist on extreme speed. The merchant which might be converted into cruisers steamers would not be the greyhounds of the North Atlantic. The mercantile cruiser will be So, too, the regular cruisers lately built for the Navy, vulnerable.
construction of cruisers.
full protection to

trade in every sea.

designed chiefly for fast steaming, not sufficient in displacement to

were considered in the original merchant steamer may be protected by internal sub-division and an armoured deck, and fitted to carry a
carry armour.
If service as cruisers

construction

the

large

light

armament.
to

The Mercantile Marine can supply a valuable reinforcement

the

Navy

in the narrow seas in vessels for service as scouts and

sea-keeping destroyers.

We

have in the

cross-channel

services

All these thirty-nine vessels steaming twenty knots and over. They can keep the sea in vessels could carry a torpedo armament.
all

weathers.

Showing
the Flag.

Taking advantage of the present opportunity, it may once more be urged that the policy as to " showing the Flag " shadowed forth in the statement laid before Parliament by the Admiralty, in 1905,
It was claimed that so imposing should continue to engage attention. and ubiquitous a display of power had never before been attained by our Navy. Our fellow-subjects in Australasia have seen little in late years to reassure them as to the power of the Imperial Navy. The Flag of the United States was displayed with impressive effect on the unprecedented occasion of the voyage of circumnavigation, undertaken with signal success by the armoured fleet. There has been no similar demonstration under the British flag. It should be made. Two of our latest Dreadnought cruisers, imposing specimens

Good would form a noble squadron. In the great harbours of Australasia they would be welcomed enthusiastically and leave a
as they are of naval architecture, with the four cruisers of the

Hope

class,

lasting impression.
Eelations

Finally, the writer takes occasion to refer to matters which must,

with

Germany.

in the present posture of affairs, cause deep concern to all thinking

men, and which in an eminent degree affect the Admiralty. If the hostile feeling which unhappily exists in Germany (not without some provocation) continues, we must look for renewed efforts in
construction.

Let us consider the circumstances which have led to mutual

GERMAN EXPANSION.
distrust.

17

In Germany the const nictioii of battleships has advanced

unapproaclied
elsewhere.
this country. It

on a

scale

has

caused

anxiety

perhaps undue anxiety

in

Cjermany does not stand

Leading statesmen in

alone in the resolve to create a strong Navy,

all

countries have been impressed by the writings of Captain

all countries

Mahan.

In the United States, of

foes.

the most secure from foreign

President Eoosevelt had ambitious schemes of naval expansion.

Everywhere the belief is held that a nation has no influence without a Navy. Nor is this conviction new. Naval weakness in former times was a moving cause of the discontent then universal in Germany. In a memoir on the political condition, written in 1847, Prince Hohenlohe, Minister at Athens, used these words " No one will deny that it is
:

hard on a thinking energetic

flying

man

to

l3e

unable to say abroad,

study the

'

am
flag

a German,' and not to be able to pride himself that the

is

German
see

from his

vessel.

And when we

map and

how
.

the Baltic, the North Sea, and the Mediterranean break

shores,

upon our
.
.

and how no German flag commands the customary salute surely tlie hue of shame will rise into our cheeks." To create a Navy was impossible while Germany was a divided land. It was sure to be undertaken when Imperial unity was achieved. Eussia and France were in close alliance and strong at sea. To redress the balance was a not unnatural resolve. Many ships were built of a type adapted to shallow waters. They became obsolescent at a stroke by the creation, under the direction of Lord Fisher, of a new type with unmatched superiority in speed, and armed
with guns of longer range than any hitherto carried on board ship.

There was no reticence in the commendation to the public of the new design. It was proclaimed that all earlier ships were obsolete.

Lord Fisher carried consternation into Boards of Admiralty.

Nutuit
et

nutu totum tremefecit Olympum.

In Germany Dreadnoughts.
thirty-eight.

it was resolved to make a vigorous effort to build The total number proposed under the Navy Law was Four ships were to be laid down annually, to be

reduced to two ships in 1912.

construction had

We

might have wished that the

been spread over a longer term. The aggregate force proposed cannot be pronounced excessive for the Fleet of a first-class Power.

had arisen in Morocco, we might shortly have found It should have been possible to fulfil our obligations to France without giving offence to Germany. To
If no clouds

ourselves under serener skies.

indicate
into

how

reconciliation

might be

effected

politics.

The

cession

of Walfisch

P>ay

would take us too far might fittingly be

18

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

To hoist our flag on the only good harbour on the coast of German South- West Africa was an
considered on a suitable opportunity.

example of some
difficult to

characteristic British propensities

which we find

it

hold in check, and wliich do not win for us universal

be objection in South Africa to tbe cession of Walfisch

good. will.

There
Bay.

may

AVith a magnanimity beyond example,

we have given

to that

country unrestricted powers of self-government.

In return, we

may

ask that British interests should be considered.

as a base for operations directed against

While we

retain

the naval supremacy no harbour on those distant coasts can be used

South Africa.

Objections

would be removed

if

compensation could be found elsewhere.

Nor
South

sliould it be impossible

by friendly negotiation

to obtain for

Africa full powers of administration in Delagoa Bay, under the flag

and under an imperial engagement for the payment of an annual sum equal to the present net revenue. We have a
of Portugal,

precedent in our occupation of Cyprus under Turkish suzerainty.

our dealings with

In

Germany
is

generally let us take a

new

departure.

In commerce the rivalry

lately addressed

keen but

friendly.

It is the desire of

the masses in both countries to be friends.

The

cordial invitation

by
is

the

Mayor

of Berlin to the

Lord Mayor, and

gladly accepted,

an incident of happy augury.

It is well to turn over

And now
flag.

a self-imposed labour is ended.

of other

from the active service

days to a harbour ship under the old

Brassey.

19

CHAPTER

II.

The British Navy. The appointmeut,

First
in

November, of

]\Ir.

Winston

Churcliill

to

be Board
ralty.

of

almost complete change in the

Lord of the Admiralty, in the place of Mr. McKenna, led to an Admiral Sir 2^^'>'sonncl of the Board. Francis Bridgeman has become First Sea Lord in place of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur Wilson, whose time was not up till March, 1912. Both these distinguished officers rank with Sir Geoffrej Hornby and Sir Michael Culme-Seymour as the most capable admirals From this point of view it is of their day in handling fleets at sea. regrettable that Sir Francis Bridgeman should have been withdrawn
from his sea command.
Sir

service to the country as First Sea

Arthur Wilson has done invaluable Lord at a critical period in the

spirit

history of the Navy, and no one can appreciate better than naval
officers

themselves liow well he has maintained the best

of

naval administration.

His successor may be confidently relied upon to follow in his footsteps. H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battenberg has succeeded Sir George Egerton as Second Sea Lord, and Captain W. G Pakenham follows Ptear- Admiral Madden as Third Sea Lord. PicarAdmiral Briggs remains Controller of the Navy. Sir Francis Ilopwood has been added to the Board as an Additional Civil Lord, with a fixed tenure of office. The First Lord explained his duties as follows " He will conduct the business and commercial transactions of the Board, and all their relations with the great contracting firms. It will be his duty to furnish the Third and Fourth Sea Lords with all that they may require in order to build, arm, equip, and supply the Fleet." The transfer of Vice-Admiral Sir George Callaghan from the Command of the Second Division to be Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet (a post which has
:

included the

Command

of the First Division), lias entailed a redis-

tribution of other

commands. The creation of the Naval War Staff w^as one of the first steps taken by the new First Lord. The subject, which has been for some
time under consideration,
is

Naval
gj^,y

discussed at length in a later chapter,

is

and the First Lord's

Memorandum

printed in Part IV.

AVhethor

as important results will follow from the step as

predict, the principles

some

of its advocates

are sound,

on which the War Staff has been established and have been generally apjiroved.
c 2

20
It is satisfactory

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

to

know

that the functions of the

tliat
it

War

Staff at

the Admiralty are advisory and

will

possess no executive

authority and discharge no administrative duties.

With

the First
its

Sea Lord rests the decision as to accepting or rejecting

advice.

His responsibility will therefore not be impaired

point.

a very important
is

As

regards the

War

Staff for the Fleet, it

stated in the

First Lord's

Memorandum

that for Officers appointed to the Staff

there will be regular periods of sea-going executive duty alternating

with periods of employment on

further insisted upon.
to

Staff duties.

In an explanatory
is

Statement, issued by the Admiralty in March, this point

still

Officers appointed to the Staff have no claim

be continuously employed on Staff duties.

is

The

creation of a

special class of Staff Officer

certainly not desirable in the Navy.

The

Officer

who

is

frequently serving as an executive Officer will be

better fitted for Staff duties than one

who

has lost touch with the

ordinary work of the Naval Officer

Warship
construction in

afloat.

One

of the

the activity in the war shipbuilding industry of Great Britain.

large battleships

most remarkable features of the year under review is Seven

Great
Britain.

and

five battle-cruisers (including the

Australia and

New

Zealand) have been under construction throughout the year for

the British Navy, in addition to the four battleships and one battlecruiser laid

down

or ordered towards the end of the year.

Thanks

to the enterprise
firms, this

and
is

efficiency of organisation of our great private

country

directly or indirectly responsible for a large

proportion of the warship construction

navies.

now

in

hand
Co.,

for the world's

Messrs.

Armstrong, Whitworth
Co.,

&

Messrs.

Vickers,

Messrs. John

Brown &

Messrs. Beardmore, and others have

spared no expense to bring their plant for the construction of hulls

and machinery, armour and ordnance up to a high state of efficiency, and they have been assisted by the wise distribution of the orders of our own Government. They are now reaping the reward of their enterprise, and most of our principal private yards are full of work. There are under construction, at British yards, battleships for the Brazilian, Chilian, and Turkish Navies, a battle-cruiser
for

Japan,

three

monitors

for

Brazil,

besides

scout-cruisers for

China and torpedo

craft for various Powers.

British firms are also

responsible for the carrying out of the large shipbuilding

now

programme and Black Sea, and are directly interested in the combination which is building the Spanish Including ships battleships at Ferrol and gunboats at Carthagena. building abroad, about fifty per cent, of the armoured ship construcin

hand

in Kussia, both in the Baltic

tion of the world

is

at the present

moment

in British hands.

recent visit to some of the leading shipbuilding yards on the

Tyne

BATTLESUirS COMPLETED.

21

and the Clyde shows that our present position is likely to be maintained. Messrs. Armstrong are preparing an entirely new shipyard some miles

down
at

the

Tyne from
having

their present

yard

the increased size of modern

number
the
of
slips

warships

much reduced

the

available

Elswick, while the width between

it

piers of the

low-level

swing-bridge at Newcastle makes

ships.

difficult to pass

the later broad

The magnificent new shipyard and engineering shops of Messrs. Beard more at Dalmuir, on the Clyde, are capable of coping with more work than they have at present in hand, while Mr. Meyer, the Secretary of the United States Navy, speaks in the very highest terms of the system of administration and organisation of the enormous business controlled by Messrs. Vickers.

We have
for the

reason to be proud of our great private establishments

production of war material

naval strength

but
:

very important element in

in the Eoyal

the good

work done
latter

Dockyards

must not be
"

forgotten.

Of the

Mr. Meyer, an impartial witness,

spirit

speaks as follows
of co-operation

In the English dockyards I noticed particularly a cordial

among

the different departments.

There seemed to
Paper- work

be no jealousies and nothing but the best team-work.

and red tape had been reduced to a minimum, and this was also the case at the Admiralty in fact, throughout the British Navy." In the year 1910-11 only one battleship, the Neptune, and one 1909-10 During the year under ^ja^^^e battle-cruiser were added to the Navy. review four battleships have been completed. The battle-cruiser colossus.
;

till May. The Colossus and Hercules 1909-10 programme, and were launched respectively belong to the on April 9th and May 10th, 1910. Both went through their trials in March, 1911, and were practically completed when the last volume of the Naval Annual was published. They are attached to the Second Division of the Home Fleet. Displacement, 20,000 tons speed on The main armament consists of ten 12-in, guns, trial, 21'5 knots. mounted as in the Neptune, and not as in the earlier ships of the In the Dreadnought, Bellerophon, Temeraire, Dreadnought type. Superb, St. \''incent, Collingwood, and Vanguard, the turrets are placed abreast on each forequarter, and the centre turret is on the same level as the after turret. Consequently these ships have eight guns available on the broadside and six for firing ahead or astern. In the Neptune, Hercules and C(j1ossus, two turrets are echeloned amidships, and there are two turrets abaft the superstructure, one firing over the other. In this case ten guns instead of eight are available on the broadside, six, as in the Dreadnought class, for firing ahead and eiuht for firing astern.

Lion will not be completed

22
Orion.
class.

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

The Orion is the third of the eight armoured ships of the 1909-10 programme to be completed and the first to mount the new 13"5-in.
gun.

Displacement, 22,500 tons.

Some

particulars of these ships

were given last year. The main armament consists of ten 13"5-in. guns, which throw a projectile of 1250 lb. as compared with one of 8501b. for the 12-in. gun. The 13-5-in. gun itself weighs only about
ten tons

more than the 12-in gun.

Both guns are of the same length,

All the

the former being of 45 calibres and the latter of 50 calibres.

turrets in the Orion class are, for the first time in British battleships,

placed on the centre line, the second and fourth turrets being raised
so that the
turrets.
fired

guns in them can respectively fire over the bow and stern This gives a broadside fire from ten guns, but only four can be

ahead or astern.

The anti-torpedo armament

consists of sixteen

4-in.

guns mounted on the upper deck and on the superstructures.

is

The Orion

protected by a belt at

the water-line 12

in.

thick

amidships, extending for about 60 per cent, of the length and tapering
to 4 in. at the ends. The side above the belt is protected by 9-in. armour up to the main deck, and by 8-in. armour between the main and upper decks. The predecessors of the Orion have no protection on the side above the main deck. The turbine machinery is by the Wallsend Company. There are four shafts each with an ahead and astern turbine. There are two high-pressure and two low-pressure The turbines for steaming ahead and the same for steaming astern.

boilers are of the

Babcock and Wilcox type.

trials of the

The

official

steam

Orion took place on September

11th and 18th, and passed

of her trials

off satisfactorily.

The following

results

Engineering

and those of two of her

sister ships are

taken from

ORION CLASS.
the mountings of the guns are reported to have

23

shown no

signs of

weakness.

The Monarch, of the same cLass as the Orion, was laid down at Elswick on April 1st, 1910, and launched on March 30th, 1911, with a weight of 11,500 tons on board, including 2000 tons of armour, with all her boilers in place, decks rivetted down, funnels and bridges in position this notwithstanding the fact that all work had been stopped for sixteen weeks owing to the shipyard lock-out and went through her trials at Devonport in December. She will be handed over on March 31st, and will thus have been completed in less than two

Monarch.

years, in spite of the shipyard lock-out, thanks to the energy of the

The whole of the movable parts of the five barbettes, with all internal fittings and armour, ten 13*5-in. guns, and the barbette crowns were placed on board in five days. After the completion of her steam and gunnery trials the Monarch returned to the Tyne to be fitted out for commissioning. She is the first of the four contingent ships of the 1909-10 programme to be completed. The Thunderer was launched from the Thames Iron "Works on ThunFebruary 1st, 1911, and the Conqueror, the fourth ship of the Orion conclass, from the yard of Wm. Beardmore & Co., Dalmuir, on May 1st. I^eror. At the launch of the latter, Mr. Beardmore stated that the ship would have been in the water four months earlier but for the shipcontractors.

yard lock-out.

That, in spite of this, such good progress has been

made with

the construction of the ships in

to the various contractors.

early in March,

and will

hand is very creditable The Thunderer went through her trials be completed in May. The Conqueror will
which was launched on August
her
trials

be completed in August.

The
1910, at

battle-cruiser

Lion,

6th, Battle-

Devonport, went through

26,350
tons
;

in

January,

1912. Lion.

cruiser

Displacement,
70,000 S.H.r.

designed

speed,

28

knots,

with

The armament comprises eight 13'5-in. guns, which give a broadside fire of 10,000 lb., as compared with 6800 lb. for the battleships which can use only eight 12-in. guns on the broadside. A full description of the machinery and boilers, which were constructed by Messrs. Vickers, appeared in Englneeriiuj of January 5th, from
which the following extracts are quoted
:

There are two sets of turbines, entirely independent of each other, and arranged on either side of the centre line of the ship. There are four shafts, each with one propeller. Each set comprises a high-pressure ahead turbine, in which is incorporated a cruising stage at the forward end of the turbine for working at low power only, the steam being by-passed over this stage at full power or at high fractions thereof; a low-pressure ahead turbine; a higii-prcssuro astern turbine; and a lowpressure astern turbine. The high-pressure ahead and astern turbines are separate, and both are mounted on a wing shaft, while tlio low-pressure ahead and astern turbines are within one casing and arc on an iiuier shaft. All of the turbines are of tlie Parsons re-action type, and the machines in each set work in series. All four

24

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

. . .

There are forty-two watershafts are available for ahead and astern working. tube boilers of the Yarrow type, working at 235 lb. pressure per sq. in., and arranged The boilers are fitted in several waterfor forced draught with closed stokeholds. tight compartments, with more than usual sub-division.

The

trials

of

the Lion took place in very heavy weather.

it

No

precise details have been published, but

is

reported that, though

the contract S.H.P. was exceeded by 10 per cent., the speed expected

Princess Royal.

was not obtained. Other propellers have been tried. The great heat from the funnels during the trial at full power caused the metal fittings of the bridge, etc., to melt, and made it impossible for anyone to conThe mast is to be removed, the position of tinue on the tripod mast. the funnel is to be altered and other modifications carried out, at a cost of 25,000, which will delay the completion of the ship until May. The battle-cruiser Princess Eoyal, which is practically a sister ship to the Lion, was launched at Barrow on April 29th, 191L Dislength over nil, 700 ft., and between placement, 26,350 tons perpendiculars, 660 ft. beam, 88^ ft.; 'draught, 28 ft. Contract speed, The Princess Eoyal is protected by a 28 knots, with 70,000 S.H.P.
;

belt extending nearly the

whole length of the

in. at

ship, of a

maximum

thickness of 9

in.,

tapering to 4

the ends.

The

side above the

armour on the gun-houses The armour of the Princess Eoyal, and of the later armoured ships now under construction, has 25 per cent, more resisting power than that of previous ships, due Similar modifications to to a process invented by English makers.
belt is protected

by

6 -in. armour, while the

is

9 in. thick.

There are two protective decks.

those in progress in the Lion are to be

made both

in the Princess

Eoyal and Queen Mary.

1910-11
pro-

Of the four battleships

of the

1910-11 programme, the King

gramme.
Battleships.

George V., which was laid down at Portsmouth on January 16th, The Centurion, 1911, was launched on October 9th of the same year. which was laid down at Devonport on the same date as King George
v.,

Messrs. Scott's yard, Greenock, on

was launched November 18th, 1911. The Ajax was launched at March 21st, 1912, and will be completed by March 31st, 1913, The Audacious is likely to be
launched at Messrs. Cammell Laird's works, at Birkenhead, in the The early summer, and is not due for completion till 1913-14.
following are the leading particulars of these ships
:

Length between perpendiculars

555
89

feet.

Beam
Displacement

feet.

23,000 tons.
.

S.H.P Speed

27,000.

21 knots.
as in the Orion class, ten 13'5-in. guns.

Main armament,

BATTLE-CRUISERS.
These ships

25

in

6-iii. guns mounted improvement on their predecessors. The 4-in. so-called anti-torpedo boat armament of recent British battleships and battle-cruisers is mounted in the most exposed positions, so would be useless after an action, and in any case is hardly powerful enough to stop a modern destroyer of 7501000 tons displacement. Eecent German battleships are provided

may have
a

a secondary battery of

gun-houses,

very considerable

Avith a

powerful secondary battery of 6'7-in. or 5 9-in. guns.

The

area and thickness of the protection are similar to that of the Orion
class.

The

battle-cruiser

Palmer's

yard,

Jarrow,

Queen Mary, which was laid down at Messrs. on March 6th, 1911, was launched on

Battle-

March 20th, 1912. This vessel is to be fitted with Parsons turbines and Yarrow boilers, supplied by Messrs. John Brown & Co. The displacement is reported to be 27,000 tons, the length being the same as the Lion, but the beam is greater. The armament and protection do not differ materially. The estimated speed is 28 knots, with 75,000
S.H.P.

q^^^^^ Mary.

The

battle-cruiser

New

Zealand, presented by the Dominion to

the British Navy, was launched at Fairfield on July 1st, 1911, but

progress has since been delayed by the non-delivery of her armour.

Displacement, 18,800 tons

length between perpendiculars, 555

ft.
;

ft,

beam, 80
is

ft.

draught, 26i

S.H.P., 44,000.

The designed speed

trial.

stated to be 25 knots, but this will certainly be exceeded, as the

all

Indomitable class

attained a speed of about 27 knots on

The armament
turrets are
eoi

is

the same as that of the Indomitables and Inde-

fatigable, viz., eight 12-in.

and sixteen

4-in. guns.

The two centre

is

echelon, and, as in

the Indefatigable, spaced further

apart than in the Indomitables.

One

of the

funnels

between

them.
of
fire

The centre

pair of guns have thus a considerably larger arc

than in the case of the Indomitables.

Five armoured ships were provided in the programme of 1911- I9ii-12

1912, but their
troubles and other causes.
laid

commencement has been delayed owing to labour Of these the battleship Iron Duke was

g^^^^j^g

Portsmouth on January 15th, and the Marlborough at Devonport on January 25th, 1912. On the former 182,289, and on the latter 171,515, were to be spent by March 31st. Messrs. Cammell Laird & Co. have in hand the machinery for the Portsmouth ship, Messrs. Hawthorn, Leslie & Co. that for the Devonport
at
ship,

down

which

will

have boilers of the Yarrow type.

Tlie contracts for

the two other battleships have been awarded

Vickers,

tlie

Delhi to Messrs.

and

the

lieubow

to

Messrs.
Tlie

Beardoiore

on,
of

it

is

said,

exceptionally

favourable

terms.

di.splacement

the

fiur

26
battleships
is

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

believed to be about 25,000 tons, their length being
will comprise ten 13*5-in.
lb.,

580

ft.

The armament
guns

design, firing a shell of 1400

for the 13'5-in.

as

guns of the newcompared with one of 1250 lb.

There will be a powerful

of the
6-in.

Orion
guns,

class.

secondary battery of

probably mounted on the main

for the

deck behind armour.

(a battle-cruiser, to

The contract

remaining armoured ship

be named the Tiger) of the 1911-12 programme has

been awarded

to Messrs.

John Brown and Company.

The ordering

of

the Tiger was delayed for seven or eight weeks owing to reconsideration
of her design, with the view of strengthening the vessel.
of the

The Tiger is

same length as the Lion, but of greater beam, and the displacewill be the

tions in the
Secondclass cruisers.

ment approximates 28,000 tons. There armament and its disposition

The four second-class
cruisers of the

same modifica-

as characterise the battle-

ships of the year's programme.

1909-10 programme, the

Dartmouth, built and engined by Messrs. Vickers, the Falmouth (Messrs. Beardmore), the Weymouth (Messrs. Armstrong), and the

Yarmouth (London and Glasgow Co.), have been completed. the three firstThe Yarmouth was launched on April 12th, 1911 named were launched in the previous financial year. Displace;

ment, 5250 tons

guns.

estimated speed, 24f knots

armament, eight

6-in.

Full particulars of these ships were given last year.

is

following

the result of their trials as taken from Engineering

The

Xame.

PROTECTED CRUISERS.
May,
coal
strike

27

permitting.
to

These

vessels

show

further
is

advance in displacement

knots, with 25,000 S.H.P.

5440 tons. The designed speed The armament comprises eight

are

26

6-in.

guns and four 3-pdrs.

We

now

returning to the dimensions of

the second-class cruisers completed in 1897.

The Talbot

class, of

5600 tons displacement, though originally designed to carry five 6-in. and six 4*7-in. guns, were subsequently armed with eleven 6-in. guns. The modern second-class cruiser has an advantage of more
than 5 knots in speed on the Talbot.

The three second-class

which, the Birmingham,
is

cruisers of the

1911-12 programme, one of

building by Messrs. Armstrong,

may

carry

an armament of ten

6-in. guns.

The delay

in ordering the Lowestoft

and Nottingham
contracts

is

due

to

the desire of the First Lord to place the

It will be
far better to

with the Thames Iron Works.

recognise, as Messrs. Thornycroft

and Yarrow have done, that shipbuilding on the Thames, owing to high rates of wages and other
is

reasons,

not commercially possible in competition with the northern

yards.

The award of the contract for the Thunderer to the Thames Iron Works was very doubtful policy. These cruisers will be completed
1918-14.*
Third".

in

The Blonde, particulars of whose trials were given last year, was commissioned on May 17th, 1911. The Amphion, laid down at Pembroke in March, after the launch of the Active, was launched on December 4th, 1911. Displacement, 3440 tons; speed, 25 knots, and armament, ten 4-in. guns, as in their predecessors. The Active attained a speed of 26 knots on trial, with 19,498 S.H.P., and a coal consumption of ISllx The Naval Defence Act cruisers of about In previous the same size carried two 6-in. and six 4"7-in. guns. numbers of this volume attention has been called to the heavy cost They are intended of the Boadicea and later third-class cruisers. to act as parent ships to destroyers, but it appears somewhat difficult
to justify the

cruisers.

expenditure of nearly 300,000 apiece on vessels so

deficient in figliting qualities.

The
as

third-class cruiser of the

Fearless,

the

was

laid

down

at

1911-12 programme, to be known Peml)roke on November 15th,

1912.

Displacement, 3360 tons; S.H.P., 18,000; speed, 25 knots.

for this ship is lieing constructed

The machinery

by Messrs, Beardmore.
^
''^y'^"-

There has again been an acceleration in the building of destroyers, Do-

which are now turned out within eighteen months from the date of When the last issue of the Naval Annual was published, order. eiglit boats of the Acorn class, of tlie 1909-10 programme, remained
uncompleted.

These have

all

been passed into commission, the last

arc to
l)i'

The Lowestoft and Nottingham

luiilt in

ll.M. durkyii'ds.

28
to

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

be delivered being the Fury, on February 10th, 1912.

The boats of

were from designs by Sir Philip Watts, and there was not the variation in their details such as is to be found in earlier classes
this class

The following description trials of the Hope, built by Messrs. Swan, Hunter, and Wigham Eichardson, Ltd., and engiued by the Wallsend Company, which appeared in Engineering
is

designed by the private torpedo-boat firms.

quoted from an account of the

Their length is 240ffc., their beam 25ft. 3in., and their draught 7ft. 9in., when the displacement is about 780 tons. They are fitted with two tubes for firing torpedoes, and their armament includes two 4-in. quick-firing guns and two 12-pounders. They are thus more powerfully armed than their predecessors, and are, moreover, much more strongly built, with high forecastles, in order to maintain full speed in

heavy

seas.

of the Parsons reaction turbine type, and in all there are seven turbines a high-pressure cruising, an intermediate cruising, a highpressure main turbine, and two low-pressure turbines, these turbines all being for propeDing the vessel ahead in addition, there are two turbines for astern-going purposes, and these are incorporated in the casings of the ahead-going low-pressure turbines. There are three lines of shafting, and mounted on each wing shaft are one cruising, one low-pressure ahead, and one astern turbine. The high-pressure turbine only is connected to the centre line of shafting. For cruising purposes, during which periods a low power is required, the steam is passed in series through the whole of the ahead-going turbines, commencing with the high-pressure cruising turbine, and it is under these conditions that the economical advantages of these cruising turbines become apparent. For full speed, both cruising turbines become inoperative units so far as propulsion is concerned. The low-pressure ahead and astern turbine alone are used in manoeuvring, the centre turbine being idle. For generating the steam there are four express water-tube boilers of the Yarrow type, entirely constructed at the works of the Wallsend Slipway and Engineering Company, Limited. They are the design and arrangement now usually adopted for this class of vessel, and have been so often described and illustrated in our pages that any description here would be superfluous. The fuel used for the boilers is a heavy oil, and that used for the trials was of the usual quality as supplied to the
;

The propelling machinery is

Admiralty.

Of

the twenty- three destroyers authorised in 1910-11, including

New Zealand waters, fourteen were designed at the Admiralty and nine by private firms. The former were similar to the Acorn type of 750 tons displacement, carrying two 4-in. and two
three for service in

and with a speed of 27 knots. The latter, of about the same displacement, were of four special designs, each design differing as regards speed. Two 28-knot destroyers, the Archer and Attack, were ordered from Yarrow two of 29 knots, the Acheron and Ariel, from Thornycroft two of 30 knots, the Badger and Beaver, from the Parsons Co., in association with Denny and Bros. and three of 32 knots, the Firedrake, Lurcher, and Oak, also from Yarrow. Of the fourteen boats of Admiralty design, the Ferret was commissioned on October 12th, 1911, theSandfly and Hind in December, and the Forester and Defender in January, and most of the remaining boats have now been delivered. The Acheron was commissioned on November 1st, 1911. The Admiralty ordered that, as from December, 1911, the boats of the 1910-11 programme were to be formed into a new Seventh Destroyer
12-pdr. guns,
; ; ;

DESTROYERS.
Flotilla,

29

Division of the
authorised
in

with the Venus as parent-ship, to bo attached to the First Hume Fleet. Thirteen of the twenty destroyers

1911-12 have been ordered, and tenders

firms, as follows

for
:

the

remainder provisionally accepted from eight

Messrs. Thornycroft and Co. John Brown and Co. Hawthorn, Leslie and Co. ,, Swao, Hunter and Co. ,, London and Glasgow Co. ,, Denny and Bros
.
.

Hardy, Paragon, Porpoise, Unity, Victor. Acasta, Achates, Ambuscade.

Christopher, Cockatrice, Contest. Shark, Sparrowhawk, Spitfire.

.
.
.

Lynx, IMidge, Owl.

Ardent. Fortune. Garland.

,,
,,

Fairfield

Co
.
.

Parsons Turbine Co.

The displacement
programmes.

of these boats will be

from 920

to

935

tons, or

about 140 tons heavier than that of the vessels of the two preceding

They

will
ft.

have engines of 24,500 S.H.P., and will have 260

ft.

a length of from 255

with turbine machinery and

The speed will be 31 or 32 knots, The armament will consist of three 4-in. guns, in place of the two 4-in. and two 12-pdr. weapons The Hardy, ordered from Thornyof the Beagle and Acorn types.
to
oil fuel.

croft, will

have, in addition to a turbine installation for high speeds,

an installation of internal combustion engines on the Diesel system

for use at cruising speeds.

This boat will be 257 ft. in length, with and will have a speed of 32 knots. The four other boats ordered from Thornycroft and Co., of the same length and beam as the Hardy, are designed for 31 knots speed. The contract date for the completion of the.se twenty boats is December 31st next.

beam

of 20

ft.

in.,

The Admiralty, having learned in February that the torpedo .boatprogramme of a Continental Power had been accelerated, invited tenders for twenty destroyers provided for in the 1912-13 programme, and the orders for these will have been placed before this issue of the Naval Annual is in the hands of the readers. Five submarines were completed during 1911-12 viz., D 3, D 4, and D 5 at Barrow and D 7 and D 8 at Chatham. Of the former, D 4 was the first submarine completed for any navy to carry a gun The trials of this boat were carried out in for offensive purposes. the Iri.sh Sea during November and were understood to have given satisfaction. The gun mounted, a 12-pdr., is placed under a hatch, the cover of which slides away, and the gun conies into view. After being fired, the gun is made to sink into the hatchway again, and the cover slides into its former position. The vessel was delivered at Portsmouth on December 2nd, and further trials have been made. D 6, of the same programme, is completing at Barrow. The six boats of the 1910-11 programme are the first of the "E" class, and were described in the Naval Anmial last year. Of the six
destroyer

Submarines.

30

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

authorised in the 1911-12 programme, three will be of an improved

"

E"

class

and will be built

at Barrow.

They

will be longer

and of

greater girth than any previous submarine,

quick-firing guns.

and

will

mount two

Their displacement will be about 1000 tons.

Two

other

boats

of

the

programme have been

last boat will

allotted

to

Chatham

Dockyard.
Spezia,

The sixth and

be a submersible of the

Laurenti type as constructed by the F.I. A.T. San Giorgio Company, of

Co.

and will be built by Scott's Shipbuilding and Engineering The following description of the type appeared in Engineerincj

A feature of the Laurenti design is the construction of an outer hull to give the highest propulsive efficiency and reserve buoyancy on the surface, with the minimum of draught, and an inner hull to minimise the internal cubic capacity while ensuring satisfactory conditions when submerged. The double skin, which is braced with stays to ensure the maximum of structural strength, is confined largely to the central part, and the space between the shells up to the water-line on surface displacement is utilised to form water-ballast tanks for submergence. Vertical bulkheads divide the interior into several compartments. The new British submersible boat will be of the twin-screw type, with twin six-cylinder F. I. A. T. engines in one engine-room, and electric motors, the latter for propelling the boat when submerged. The torpedo-tubes will be forward, under the bow, and the storagetubes above.
.
.

The two
and
Fleet
liaries,

river gunboats of the

1911-12 programme have been

ordered from Messrs. Yarrow, and are to be

Eail.

named

the Kingfisher

The number
auxiliaries has

of ships

now maintained

in commission as Fleet

risen to a very formidable total,

and must absorb a

not inconsiderable proportion of the manning resources of the Navy.

Many of

the

first-

and second-class cruisers of the Naval Defence Act

destroyers and submarines,

period have had their armaments removed and been converted into

depot ships

for

mine-layers,
?

etc.

Is

the removal of the

The Blakes and the Crescent class carried a powerful armament, and could fight, though they might not be able to catch the numerous second- and
third-class cruisers in foreign navies.

armament always necessary

The Maidstone, depot ship for submarines, of 3600 tons displacement and 14 knots speed, has been launched at Greenock. Two
tenders for submarines, of 960 tons, are under construction at Messrs.

Cammell Laird's, Birkenhead, one March 31st, 1912.

of

which

is

due

for

completion by

Two

additional auxiliaries have this year been ordered

a torpedo

London & Glasgow Co., and a hospital ship from Messrs. W. Beardmore & Co., Ltd. The latter will include every appliance which medical and
boat-destroyer depot ship,

named

the Woolwich, from the

surgical experience has evolved for the alleviation of the suffering of

When complete have cost considerably over 200,000.

the sick and wounded.

for

service the vessel will

DOMINION NAVIES.
The construction
comprise
three
of the Australian

31
unit,

Naval

which

is

to

Dominion
Navies.
^yg(.j.a^|jj^

one

liattle-cruiser,
is

three

cruisers,

six

destroyers,

and

submarines,

progressing.

The

battle-cruiser

Australia

was launched
18,800 tons;

two 21 -in. 4 in. thick, with 10-in. armour on the turrets. The designed horsepower of the Parsons turbines is 44,000 S.H.P. rather more than At that of the Indefatigable and the speed should be greater. normal draught it is expected that her sea speed will be 26 knots. The Australia should be completed towards the end of the current

Displacement, at Clydebank on October 25th, 1911. armament, eight 12-in. guns, sixteen 4-in. guns, and The ship is protected by a belt 8 in. to torpedo tubes.

year.

The second-class cruisers Melbourne and Sydney, which are being by Messrs. Cammell Laird & Co., at Birkenhead, and by the Loudon and Glasgow Company, at Glasgow, are in an advanced state. They are armament, nine 6-in. guns. Displacement, 5440 tons sister ships of the enlarged Town class, of which the Chatham was launched in October, 1911. This type may be suitable for work in the Pacific, but in the seas of the Southern Ocean a larger vessel would be preferable. The Commonwealth Government has accepted the tender of the New South Wales Government for the construction
built
;

of the third cruiser

to

be

named

the Brisbane

as well as of

the

three remaining destroyers of the programme, at the State dockyard.

Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour.

Of the three
VVarrego,

tirst

destroyers of the programme, two were com;

pleted in Scotland and arrived in Australia last year

the third, the

was shipped in sections

to

Sydney, put together there, and

building at

launched in April, 1911.

ordered.

Two

of the submarines are

Barrow, and will be launched this year.

The

third has not yet been

Admiral
protected

Sir Eeginald Henderson's report proposed

the creation

of an Australian naval unit, to consist of eight battle-cruisers, ten

cruisers,

eighteen

destroyers,

twelve submarines, three

depot ships for

and a fleet repair ship. This fleet, when fully manned, will require approximately 15,000 officers and men. No further steps beyond these above recorded have yet been taken. For the control of the Australian Navy, Admiral Sir Ptegiuald
flotillas,

Creation

Henderson proposed the creation of a Naval Board on the

the Board of Admiralty, to be composed as follows
1.
:

lines of Board,

The Minister
First

of State for Defence (or for the

Navy, should a

separate naval department be created later).

2.

Naval Member

(to

be a senior

officer of the

Common-

wealth Navy not below the rank of captain).

32
3.

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Second Naval Member
(to

be a senior

officer of

tbe Imperial

Navy
4.

not below the rank of captain).

Third Naval

5.

Member (to be a senior officer of the CommonNavy not below the rank of captain). Finance and Civil Member (to be a Member of Parliament, of
wealth or Imperial

the Senate
vice versa).

when

the Minister

is

in the

House

of Representatives,

and

Admiral Henderson further recommended that the Board should have a naval representative in London attached to the Staff of the High Commissioner, but with an office in the Admiralty building and That the right of access to the members of the Admiralty Board. section of Admiral Henderson's able report which deals with control and administration is reprinted in full in Part IV, His recommendations have been approved a Naval Board has been created, and the definition of its powers and functions has received official sanction as follows " The Naval Board shall, subject to the control of the Minister, be charged with the administration of all matters relating to the Naval Forces. The members of the Board
;
:

shall act as a whole, its orders being issued over the signature of the

Naval Secretary.

All orders,

etc., for

the Naval Forces will in future

be issued by the Naval Board through their Secretary, and are to be

obeyed accordingly.

Such orders

will be issued to or through the

Director of Naval Reserves, naval commandants, or the officer in

Canada.

and these officers may communicate Naval Board, addressing their communications to the Naval Secretary, Navy Office, Melbourne." Little progress has been made towards the creation of the Canadian Navy. The programme of Sir William Laurier's Governcharge of the destroyer service
direct with the
;

ment proposed the construction

third-class cruiser,

of four

second-class cruisers, one

to be built in

and

six destroyers, the

whole

Canada.

Mr. Borden, the present Premier, stated in the Canadian House of

Commons, on November 20th, 1911, that the proposal of the late Government called for an expenditure of 2,000,000 in ten years and planned a Fleet which would be useless as a fighting force and obsolete by the time it was completed. The whole question would
be reconsidered.
the

Mr. Borden's criticism. If Navy, they must face the heavy expenditure necessary for the construction of modern battle-cruisers. In the debate on Mr. Choquette's motion to repeal the Naval Act
There
is

much

force in

Canadians wish

to

create a

two Mr. Lougheed, Leader of Senate, speaking for the Government, said that the Conservative Party was not in agreement two years ago with the Liberal policy regarding the Navy, believing, as it did, that Canada's naval

which was defeated by

fifty-one votes to

AIRSHIPS DOCKS.
programme should be along the
control in the Imperial Navy.
lines of united action
is

33 and central

This statement
of

very significant.

Naval Defence Department states that besides the 21 naval cadets now under training, 223 recruits were registered, of whom 185 went to the Niobe and 38 to
first

The

annual report

the

the Piainbow.

site for

the Canadian works of Messrs. Vickers

It will be

is

being pre-

pared at Montreal.

completed this summer, when the

building oP the ship-repairing and engineering works will be com-

menced.
at

The large rigid dirigible airship constructed by Messrs. Vickers Naval Barrow for the Navy was wrecked in September. The airship ^^^ ^en was on May 23rd, 1911, taken out of the shed in which it had been planes. It was made fast to its moorings in constructed, for the first time. admirably, in spite of the high wind which and behaved dock, the blowing. was subsequently taken back to its shed, where was It certain alterations were made, and it did not again emerge till the The delay, it is reported, was due to the day of the accident. difficulty as regards the supply of hydrogen. The weather was favourable on the morning of the accident, which is believed to have been due to the rupture of one of the gas-bags as the ship was being taken out of the shed. One hydro- aeroplane is under construction at Eastchurch, and two others are on order. A Deperdussin aeroplane has been purchased, and flew from Issy-les-MouKneaux to Eastchurch. Another airship has been ordered from Messrs. Vickers. The position as regards docks capable of taking the ships of ever- Docks,
increasing size that are
built

or

building for the

unsatisfactory, and, with the completion of the docks

will

Navy is not now in hand,

According to the First Lord, there are at present nine docks which can take Invincibles, Lord Nelsons and all
shortly

improve.

earlier

ships.

Five of these, one of which

is

at

Haulbowline, are

suitable for the latest battleships.

Two

floating docks for the largest

vessels that at present exist will be completed in a few

months

one

of these will be put in the

Medway and
;

the other ultimately at

Portsmouth. Early in 1913 a new dock will be available at Tortsmouth, another in January, 1914 and the three docks and the lock at Kosyth in 1916. Pending the completion of the docks at Rosyth the Admiralty are considering the advisability of towing one of the
floating

docks to Cromarty, and using

it

as a temporary subsidiary

base until the large base on the north-east coast has been completed.

There are
vessel,

five private docks which ccnild be used to dock the largest and two more are being built. There are also four others

which

will take vessels of the Invincible class.

31
Naval

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

The
results of the Tests of

Gunlayers and of Battle Practice

are,

as usual, given

in Part IV.

From

the former
is is

it

appears that the

standard of shooting with heavy guns

about the same as last year.

50"01 in 1911 as compared

The percentage

of hits to rounds fired

In 1910 ricochets were with 51-85 in 1910 and 5412 in 1909. counted as ^ hit; in 1911 they were counted as -^-q hit. If in these

had counted as whole hits, the percentage of hits to rounds fired would be 54'86 in both 1911 and 1910, as compared with 54-12 in 1909 and 53-57 in 1908. The best ship in the Fleet is the cruiser Challenger, which obtained 90*76 points, the average The best shot in hits per minute with the 6-in. guns being 7*64.
two
latter ricochets

the ship, Leading

Seaman

J.

E. Bennett, obtained the extraordinary

number
list

of 14-4 hits per minute.

The Minotaur stands second

in the

with 86 02 points, ten hits per minute being obtained by the

best shot in the ship. Leading

Seaman

E. Kussell, with a 7-5-in. gun.

It is interesting to note, in the gunlayers' tests for 12-in. guns, that

the five best ships are pre-Dreadnoughts.

The best ship

is

the

Eussell with 2-31 hits per turret per minute, equal to 1*65 hits per

gun per minute. The Queen and Britannia, second and third, obtained over two hits per turret per minute, while the Superb only
obtained 1'76 hits per turret per minute.
Estimates 1912 13

The Navy Estimates for 1912-13 amount to 44,085,400 as the increases under the compared with 44,392,500 in 1911-12 head of Pay, 115,500, Naval Armaments, 198,000, and Naval Works, 449,700, being more than compensated for by a decrease of 1,236,000 in the amount to be voted for Shipbuilding and Eepairs. The First Lord, in introducing the Navy Estimates in the House of Commons, explained that owing to various causes there was a considerable sum unspent on new construction in 1911-12, which would
;

involve increased expenditure in the following years.

New

pro-

The programme
armoured

of construction to be

commenced

in

1912-13

gramme.

involves an expenditure

of 1,903,000, and comprises four large-

ships, eight light-armoured cruisers, and twenty destroyers. Of the large-armoured ships two are to be built in the dockyards, and two by contract. On the former about 166,000 apiece is to be spent; the two latter will hardly be begun. The light-armoured cruisers are of quite a new type with high speed and little armament which will serve as the eyes of the Fleet. The two dockyard-built

ships will be substantially advanced during the year.

contract-built ships only 12,000 apiece
is

For the six

they will

taken, and

hardly be laid
is

down during

the financial year 1912-13.

1,053,000
adequate

taken for the twenty destroyers, which will consequently be well

advanced.

The programme of battleship construction

is

PERSONNEL.

35

having regard to the fact that only one battleship and one battlecruiser are to be laid down in Germany this year. The First
Lord's speech, in which he states the margin that the Admiralty

consider

we should
for the

possess over
is

Germany, and the battleship proprinted in full in Part IV.

It is the

gramme

next few years,

most noteworthy speech delivered by a First Lord of the Admiralty for many years. The frank and statesman-like way in which he dealt with German naval expansion has been universally approved in this country, and has not been resented in Germany by the
Mr. Churchill's way is the only way by which a reduction of armaments can be obtained. The personnel is to be increased to an average of 136,000 men borne, and a further increase is foreshadowed in succeeding years. The strength of the Fleet Reserve is to be increased by 1500 men to 26,200. The numbers borne on January 1st were 24,153. At the same date there were 8441 men in the Pensioner Eeserve. A new class of the Fleet Reserve, to be called the Immediate Eeserve, is to be created, which is to have twenty-eight days' training annually. The establishment of the Royal Naval Reserve has been increased
weightier organs of the press.
to 21,534, the increase being entirely in the

Personnel.

new Trawler

Section.

The numbers borne show a small increase over last year. The Naval Volunteer Reserve is practically up to its establishment of 4100, the numbers borne on January 1st being 4063. The grand total of the numbers voted for the Naval Service is 196,291, of which less than one-third, or 60,291, are ojQficers on half pay or officers and men in the various branches of the Reserve. The numbers borne on January 1st, 1912, were 190,846, including 500 officers and men lent
to Colonial or

Foreign Governments.
entered under the system of

The
they

first officers

common

entry have

Officer

now reached

the rank of Lieutenant.

The conditions imder which

may

specialise are set forth in the First Lord's

to

Memorandum.
system will
is

There has been considerable misgiving as

succeed.
It is possible that

how

far the

only a small proportion of the officers

the

so entered will voluntarily enter

Engineer Branch, but

it

hoped that
Service.

this

proportion will be sufficient for the needs of the

The system of common entry is held to work well in the United States Navy. It is, at any rate, certain that it is desirable that the executive officer shall possess sufficient knowledge of
engineering to effectually
bodies of

command

his

ship,

and that the large

men

in the engine-room shall be in charge of officers of

equal standing to those on deck.

The shortage

in

the

Lieutenants'

list is to

be partly met by the

promotion of warrant

officers.

Hythe.
P 2

36

CHAPTER
France.
Improved
tration.

III.

Foreign Navies.

^q Navy
is

has

made

that 01 France.

greater progress during the last year than In nearly every department of naval activity there
is

evidence that the period of stagnation, suspense, and unrest

at

The Reports of M. Bos, M. Chaumet, and M. Benazet drew the attention of Parliament to the deplorable condition to which the French Navy had been allowed to sink, and, under the able and vigorous impulse of Admiral Boue de Lapeyrere, steps were taken to place the administration of the Navy on a sound footing. Better collaboration has been established between various branches of the Service, the dockyards have been set in order, the period of construction much reduced, and a shipbuilding programme put in hand which will make the French Navy again a formidable naval force. The idea too long prevalent in France, that torpedo-boats, submarines, and the guerre de course could compensate for inferiority in the
an end.

A new squadron of powerful ships The manoeuvres brought together an unusual number of vessels of all classes, and the great review outside Toulon on September 4th, when M. Fallieres, accompanied by the Presidents of the Chambers and many of their members, saw the whole Fleet under way, was the most important French naval demonstration since M. Loubet reviewed the Fleet off La Ciotat in 1901. The terrible disaster to the Liberte on September 25th was a serious blow
fighting line, has been abandoned.

has been commissioned.

to progress,

but the

Navy

has

recovered
it

its

equilibrium, and the

Naval Department has since made

recurrence of such calamities.

a special care to prevent the

M. Delcasse has proved a worthy

successor to Admiral de Lapeyrere as Minister of Marine, and the immediate future of the French Navy is safe in his capable hands. Admiral de Lapeyrere is now in command of the Battle Fleet. Command In a very notable report on the Estimates of 1912, in which he
Meditcrranean.

dealt with the Liberte disaster, questions relating to the high

com-

mand, the central and dockyard adininistration, and other matters, M. Painleve, the Budget reporter, raised the fundamental question of the real object of the French Fleet, which he described as the

FRENCH NAVAL
command
of
tlie

POLICY.
la

87
Meditcrranec.

Mediterranean /<< mailrise de

said, did
lier to

French resources, he

not permit France to rival

Germany

in

her naval preparations, but they enabled

command

at least the

western basin of the Mediterranean against the Fleets of Austria and

Italy,

which he further declared

to be the essential object.

In his view
supplied,

the disembarkation of an

army corps, properly equipped and

is

on the Channel or Atlantic coast

It
flotillas

not an enterprise to be feared.

would present too many risks, in view of the presence of the coast and the length of time it would take. Even if it partially succeeded, the invaders would encounter the land forces, and unless they could seize some fortified place, in which they would be invested, they would be lost. Therefore, M. Painleve regarded the hypothesis of an invasion by sea as chimerical, and moreover as promising to change in no respect the results of the war on land. The. following
passage from the report, although
its

conclusions are not undisputed,

:

represents the ideas which at present dominate French naval policy

La maitrise de la haute iner dans la Manche efc dans I'Atlantique, si desirable qu'elle soit, ue nous est point indispensable. Au contraire,si elle nous 6chappait dans La neutrality de I'ltalie pent la M6diterran6e occidentale, ce serait un d^sastre. dependre de notre puissance dans la ]\I6diterran6e. Si nous sommes faibles, I'appat de la Tunisie et la menace de I'Autriche centre laquelle nous ne pourrions I'aider a se
proteger la dt'termineraient peut-etrc a intervenir centre nous. Or un d6barquement sur la cote tunisienne serait autrenient facile et dangereux que sur les cotes de France si notre flotte n'est pas dans la M6diterran6e, quel obstacle rencontrerait-il ? Mais une condition est indispensable pour reniplir sa mission, il faut que notre La vieille conception d'une flotte soit enti^rement concentr^e a I'heure du combat.
: :

II importe flotte du Ponant et d'une flotte du Levant est une conception n^faste. de se rappeler la maxime de I'amiral ]\Iahan " Une flotte divis^e en tron^ons est une notre flotte (jtait affaiblie livr6e la d6faite." Sans doute, si flotte gratuitement et a superieure aux flottes r^unies de la Triple Alliance, la disposition de nos cotes nous inclinerait a constituer deux armies uavales I'une a Brest, capable de tenir tete a la I'autre a Toulon, capable de tenir tete a la flotte austro-italienne flotte allemande mais, dans I'^tat actuel de uos forces, ce n'est la qu'un reve dangereux de m^galomanie. Tous nos navires de haut bord ne doivent former qu'une arm6e navale. Pour qu'une telle arm6e soit entraln^e aux manoeuvres d'ensemble, pour que chaque navire remplisse automatiquement son role de combat, il ,faut que cette concentration soit pernianente et il faut que domino I'id^e que le champ de bataille naturel de cette D'ailleurs, au moment de la revue navale, alors que armee est la M^diterrau^e. I'heure pouvait devenir grave et que les int6rets de clochers faisaient silence, tous les Fran^ais out eu la sensation que la flotte Mail Id oi'i il fallait.
: : ;

M. Chautemps,

in his report to the Senate relative to

new

con-

struction, said that there

was a change in the aspect of the dockyards owing to the better employment of the men and the introduction of new plant. The state of the Fleet was satisfactory, and construction, Ijoth in the dockyards and the private yards, was more rapid and more economical. The period allowed for the building of the new battleships
is

thirty-six mouths.
six battleships of the

The
in

Danton

class,

which were

laid

down
tens;

ships
pj^^^

1906-7,

have

been

completed.

Displacement,

18,028

armament, four 12-iu. and twelve 0-4-in. guns. Designed speed was 19i knots, with 22,500 S.H.i'. These ships arc driven by

H8

ttiE

NAVaL ANMtAL.

turbine engines, and, as was to be expected .with a type of machinery

little

known

in the

French Navy, there were a number of mishaps

satisfactorily, con-

on their

trials.

These have now been concluded

more than the designed speed having been realised in all cases. The ships with Belleville boilers did better than those with Niclausse boilers. The following particulars are taken from Le Yacht, which comments on the heavy coal consumption at low speeds, and other Service papers
siderably
:

BATTLESHIPS BUILDING.
and two abreast amidships. Turrets No. 2 and 5 are the guns in them can fire over the forward and after
can
fire

39
raised, so that

turrets.

This

disposition gives a broadside of ten 12-in. guns, while eight guns

ahead or astern.

feature of these ships

is

the powerful

secondary battery of twenty-two 5"5-in. guns, protected by 7-in.

Eighteen of these are mounted on the upper deck, four of which can fire ahead, while four are mounted on the main deck below the after turrets, and can be fired right astern. The disposition of these guns will best be understood by a reference to the diagram.
armour.

As

regards protection, there

is

a complete water-line belt 11-in. thick

amidships and

7-in. thick at the ends.

The
is

side above the belt

from

the forward turret to the after tunet

protected by 7-in. armour

the upper deck to the
ft.

up

to the level of the

is

upper deck.

From

spar deck the ship

protected for over 200

by

7-in.

armour,

with

7-in.

athwartship bulkheads, forming an armoured redoubt for

eighteen of the 5 5-iu. guns above mentioned, and protecting also the
bases of the funnels.

There are three armoured decks

;

the

lower,

2|-in. thick; the main, 1'9-in.

and the upper, 1'2-in.

;

There are
battleships

four 18-in.

submerged torpedo tubes

will

recent

British

are fitted with 2l-in. tubes.

Each ship
of the

have twenty-four

boilers, for

using either coal or

and those Jean Bart of the Belleville type. There will be two cruising turbines, two high-pressure and two low-pressure turbines for steaming In ahead, and the same for going astern, driving four propellers.
liquid fuel, those of the Courbet being of the Niclausse

some

British battleships cruising turbines have been suppressed.

is

normal coal supply

900 tons and the

maximum 2700
at 10 knots.

tons,

The which

will enable the ships to steam

8500 miles

and Jean Bart is set down at 2,604,000, or nearly 900,000 more than that of the Neptune. They are some 3000 tons larger, and must be pronounced in every respect most powerful fighting ships. They are well protected and well armed, they carry the same coal supply as British battleships, and though the designed speed is lower, the speed realised on trial and on service will

The

cost of the Courbet

probably not be far short of that of their competitors in other navies.

The Courbet and Jean Bart are due for completion in May, 1913. They were laid down in November and October, 1910. If the
anticipations are realised, they will have been completed
in little

over thirty month.s, an enormous improvement on previous rates of

construction in France.

Two

ships of the
1,

same

type, the France

and

Paris,

were

laid

down

on August

1911

the former at the yard of the Forges et Chantiers

de la Mediterranee, La Seyne, the latter at the yard of the Forges et

40

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

These ships are
clue

Chantiers de la Loire at Saint Nazaire.

for

completion in the last quarter of 1914, or in rather over three years from the date of laying down.
The programme.

The destruction of the Liberte has led to an alteration in the number of battleships to be laid down. The Naval Law, which
proposes
a fleet
of

twenty-eight battleships, ten scout cruisers,

and

fifty-one destroyers, has

been sanctioned by the Chambers.

laid

Four

ships

of the

programme have been

down, as shown above

(Jean Bart, Courbet, France and Paris), by yearly votes.

Under

Article 2 of the Law, vessels lost are to be replaced, and thus in

1912 three battleships will be laid down, followed in 1913 by

two, in 1914 by two, in 1915

by

four,

and in 1917 by two.

in 1917, 1918,

Two

scout cruisers

and The money which it is estimated will be absorbed by the completion of the programme is proposed to be spread over eight
are
to be laid

down annually

1919.

years

1914

6,400,000 in 1912 6,800,000 in 1913 7,000,000 in and 7,400,000 in each of the years from 1915 to 1919 total 57,000,000. (For details of the programme see Naval Ammial
:

1910.)
Battleships

Bretagne, Provence, Lorraine.

shows a radical change

the

The design of the three new ships to be laid down this spring in the armament. The Superior Council of

Navy

decided, early in 1911, that a report on the merits of a

13'4-in. gun for the ships of 1912 should be presented, but before
full trials

had taken place a sketch plan

of the ships

was prepared,

according to indications given by the Minister's Cabinet and the

General

Staff.

The indications given

should
take
the
that
their

to the technical authorities

were that

they

Jean
the

Bart
ships

as

the

point

of

departure in

plans, but

should
line,

mount ten
while the

13"4-in. guns in five

double turrets on the keel

smaller armament would remain the same, as well as the torpedo

armament and the protection. The disposition adopted for the main armament resembles that of the Orion. A single turret is placed
fire of 120 degrees on either side, instead of two turrets abreast with an arc of 180 degrees, as in the Jean Bart. The altered positions of the masts and funnels have led to some

amidships, with an arc of

changes in the location of the secondary battery, consisting of twenty-

two 5
turret,

5-in.

guns, of which eighteen will be mounted on

7-in,

tlie

upper

deck behind
turrets.

armour, fourteen being forward of the amidships

of the torpedoes will remain as in the Jean

while four are mounted on the main deck beneath the after

The diameter
is

Bart,

it

being considered that with hot-air equipment the speed and

required,

range are what

purposes.

while the charge

is

is

enough

for

all

The displacement

increased

to

22,637 tons.

In Le

; ;

TORPEDO FLOTILLAS.
Yacht these
mines.
sliips

41

are held to be too vulnerable to torpedoes and

They

will be

named Bretagne, Provence and

Lorraine.

Of the eighteen

destroyers (700-750 tons displacement), seven ^^

have been completed, and the following are still in hand, showing in brackets where they are being built and the date given for completion Bisson and Eenautlin (Toulon, 1913) Protet
:

(Eochefort, 1914);

Commandant Lucas
;

(Toulon, 1914);
;

Capitaine

Mehl

(Lorient, 1912)
;

Dehorter (Cherbourg, 1912)

Francis Garnier

(Lorient)

Commandant Bory and Commandant Eiviere (Lorient, These 1912); Magon (Lorient, 1913); Mangini (Toulon, 1913).
carry

Q.F. and four 9-pdrs., and four The designed speed was 31 knots. On trial this has been well exceeded, and the boats have behaved well in a sea-way. The speeds attained on trial are as follows Bouclier, 35 34 knots Casque, 34-9 knots; Cimeterre, 33 75 Fourche, 33*8 knots. The Bouclier, which was engined by the Cie. Electro-Mecanique, attained the above result with 15,000 H.P. and a coal consumption of 1*46 lb.
boats

each two 3*9-in.

torpedo-tubes.

The smaller vessels, Enseigne Henry and Aspirant Herbert (450 tons, 28 knots), which are building at Eochefort, are to be completed this year. Nine submarines are to be completed this year (Foucault, Euler, Franklin, Coulomb, Arago, Curie, Le Verrier, Clorinde and Cornelie) two are to be advanced (Gustavo Zede and Nereide) and nine are to be begun (Q 94 to Q 102), and are to be ready for trials February-May, 1914. The vessels named in the first list are developments and variations of the Pluviose type, displacing about 400 tons. The Pluviose is propelled on the surface by steam, and on trials attained 12*5 knots, while the later They have boats, with petrol motors, have travelled at 15 knots. The Gustave Zede and Nereide, also much greater range of action. which are from the design of M. Simonot, will rise to a surface displacement of 780 tons, and have motor engines corresponding to a Of the nine boats to be laid down in 1912, speed of 20 knots. eight (Q 94 to Q 101) will displace 410 tons, with 181 ft. length and 16 ft. 9 in. beam, engines of 1300 H.P., surface speed 15 knots, and complement of three officers and twenty-four men. Q 102 will
;

Sub-

520 tons, 196 ft. 9 in. length, 17 ft. 9 in. beam, engines 2100 H.P., surface speed 17^ knots, complement three officers and twenty-six men.
be larger
of

A
to
1

salvage dock for submarines has been launched at St. Nazaire.

;

Length, 324

beam, 76 ft. It is constructed ft. 000 tons from a depth of 28 fathoms.

of liizerta
is

to lift

weights up

The importance

increasing,

and the port

is

to

become
Bizerta.

the base for a squadron of six battleships, five armoured cruisers,

4^
and
a

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

destroyer
flotilla.

Ships

of

the

Daiiton

class

have been

Auxiliaries.

The two docks are to be enlarged for ships of the new classes, and two large basins are projected. The mine-layer Cerbere, 566 tons, 20 knots, is to be completed this year, and a coal transport, 3150 tons, 12 knots, is to be put
refitted there.

in hand.

The
Libert^
disaster.

The destruction

of

the Liberte at Toulon on September 25th will

be dealt with in detail and technically in Part III. of the Naval

Animal, and therefore

in the harbour.

it

is

necessary here to do

little

more than

give the sequence of events as they were observed by the other ships

At

5.31 a.m.

smoke was observed

counted.

issuing from the

embrasure of the forward starboard casemates of the Liberte.

or three series of detonations were

Two
fire

great

volume of

flame then broke out and reached the bridge, long tongues of
leaping up to the fore-top.
w^ere caused

It

was thought

at the

time that they

by the combustion of the small-calibre ammunition.

fire
it

This burst of flame, however, soon died down, and though red
could be seen through the dense smoke,
the
fire

began

to be

thought that

had been got under

control.

General quarters were heard

for assistance

sounded on board the Liberte, where a signal

flying
;

was seen

and many men having leaped into the water, the boats of the squadron were soon rescuing as mauy as could be pulled up. But at the sounding of general quarters, and the flames having died down, a number of men swam back to the ship and climbed on board. About ten minutes of uncertainty then passed, at the expiration of which, at 5.53 A.M., the ship suddenly blew up with a tremendous detonation, and fragments of her structure were propelled tln-ough the aii" in various directions and damaged several of the ships. The destruction of the Liberte was complete, and as the smoke cleared away she was The loss of life was very great. seen to be a mere mass of wreckage. At the time of the disaster the captain and second in command were
absent on leave, but the senior officer present, Lieut. Garnier, gave
the order to flood the magazines.

So rapid, however, was the advance

of the flames that the execution of his order

seemed

to be impossible,

and

it

appears to be questioned whether the pressure of water was

sufficiently great.

The whole

of the

circumstances touching the

disaster

have been reported upon by a committee presided over by

Eear- Admiral Gaschard.

The Eepublique was seriously damaged by flying wreckage. A mass of armour, weighing nearly a ton, struck her side 50 feet from the stern, staving in her plating, and damaging her near the waterline. Two projectiles, much small wreckage, and part of the Liberte's bridge also struck her, and an officer and some thirty men

PfiENCH MANCEUVRES.
were
killed

43
and
other
killed

or

wounded.

The

Democratic
training-ship

ships

were injured, and the captain of a

Liberie.

was

by a

fragment as he stood on the bridge of his vessel watching the

The manoeuvres, which took the form of exercises, began on September 5th and concluded on the 16th, under the direction of Vice- Admiral Jaureguiberry, who had his flag in the Jules Ferry. With the exception of the Bouvet and the vessels employed in
the
training
service,

^ranCBUVrGS.

practically

every

serviceable

vessel

in

the

French Fleet was employed, and no French Admiral has ever had such a powerful force under his command. Moreover, with the exception of the Jules Ferry, Jules Michelet, Foudre and Casabianca,
the

whole of the vessels belonged

to

squadrons,

divisions

and

which are now always in commission, and the four named and exercise with nucleus crews under command of a rear-admiral. It was observed that a great number of voluminous orders and instructions were issued to the Fleet on
flotillas

are habitually assembled

the very eve of the operations, the inference being that the spirit
of

particularism

in

the

squadrons
the

has

not yet

been altogether

eliminated, and a considerable

number

of exercises in tactics

were

Admirals commanding the Battle Squadrons (Boue de Lapeyrere, Bellue, and Aubert) led in turn a fleet of fifteen or sixteen vessels into
intended
to

give

cohesion

to

Fleet.

Each

of the

action with an adversary, after setting forth in a

memorandum
were

his

intentions

in

the case

presented

to

him.

There

various

exercises of distant blockade, or

rather

observation, giving rise to

some interesting

situations but

no remarkable incidents, and showing

wireless
sides

the practical advance

made by

telegraphy, signals

being

transmitted and received by

both

without their adversaries

The flotillas showed considerable and some of the submarines made an excellent attack on the second squadron at a distance of twenty miles from the coast. There were four fighting exercises, in one of which fog descended and played an unexpected part. The tactical ideas of Admiral Fournier no longer dominate the French Fleet, and the object of the exercises was to determine the best use of the formation of ships in line ahead the long line or the short line, the long single line and the short double line and also the use of swift battle-cruLsers, which were represented by armoured cruisers. The conclusions arrived at do not seem to be known, but it was pointed out that a French squadron of six ships would be
being able to interfere with them.
enterprise,

unfavourably placed

if

engaged with a foreign squadron of eight.

it

With regard

to

the swift cruisers,

appeared that they required

44

TfiE

NAVAL ANNUAL.

fully half an hour to reach the positions of advantage they desired,

when the Admirals endeavoured to economise this time by making dispositions in advance, they generally found their
and
objects defeated.

Germany.
Battle-

The
the

three

battleships

of

the

1908

programme,

Helgoland,

Ostfriesland and Thiiringen, have been completed, and have joined

The Helgoland was laid down at the Howaldt December, 1908, the Ostfriesland at the Imperial Dockyard, Wilhelm shaven, in October, 1908, and the Thiiringen at the Weser Yard, Bremen, in January, 1909. The period of construction was about thirty-three months. The speed of the three ships on trial exceeded 20 knots, and the machinery worked very satisfactorily. The Thiiringen on trial steamed 21-07 knots with 34,000 H.P. The principal dimensions are as follows Length, 546 ft. beam, 93^ ft. draught, 26^ ft. displacement, 22,500 tons. There are three sets of triple-expansion engines, and the designed speed was 20*5 knots with 28,000 H.P. The armament comprises twelve

High Sea
Kiel,

Fleet.

Yard,

in

12-in. guns,

which are

all

mounted

at the

deck.

The

turrets are distributed as in the

same level on the upper Nassau class, viz., one

forward, one
fire

aft, and two on either beam. This gives a broadside from only eight 12-in. guns as compared with ten guns in recent British battleships. There is a powerful secondary battery of fourteen 5 9-in. guns mounted behind armour on the main deck. Two of these

guns can be

fired ahead,

and four
is

astern.

There

are, in addition,

by a complete water-line belt, and by side armour carried up to the upper deck and extending from the funnel to the after turret. The normal coal supply is 900 tons, and the maximum supply 3000 tons. The complement consists of 1107 officers and men. The fourth and last battleship of the Helgoland class, but of the 1909 programme, the Oldenburg, which was launched at the Schichau Yard, Danzig, on June 30th, 1910, has passed through her trials. She will probably be commissioned in April. The two other battleships of the 1909 programme belong to a new type. The Kaiser was launched at the Imperial Dockyard, Kiel, on June Gth, 1911, and the Friedrich der Grosse at the Vulcan
fourteen 3 4-in. guns.

Protection

afforded

Yard, Hamburg, on March 23rd, 1911.

Details of the Friedrich der

Grosse were made public by the Marine Rundschau

construction in Germany.

much

earlier

than has latterly been the practice in matters concerning naval

great change
is

is

made

in the design,

and

it

may

be presumed that she

the type-ship of a class which

GERMAN BATTLESHIPS.
will also include the

45

Konig Albert, Kaiser, Kaiserin, and Prinz Eegent The displacement is increased to 24,119 tons, and the deck plan closely resembles that of the British Neptune. The armament comprises ten 12-in., fourteen 5 9-in., and twelve 3 4-in. guns. There are three turrets on the keel line, each mounting two 12-in. guns, one of them forward, and one of the aftermost pair firing over the other. Two other turrets with the same armament are on either side echeloned, the aftermost of this pair being on the port side. The number of guns is thus reduced from twelve to ten, but there will be a full broadside, with ahead fire of six guns and astern fire of eight. The length of the ships will be 564 ft. 3 in., the beam 95 ft. 3 in., and the draught 27 ft. 3 in. The additional displacement is devoted to obtaining higher speed and range of action. The engine power is The normal coal supply will be 25,000, to give a speed of 21 knots. 1000 tons, but the total bunker capacity will be 3600 tons. The diagram and a photograph of the model show that the Friedrich der Grosse will have two pole masts of ordinary type, and two funnels standing between them, but each near one of the masts. The ship is to be completed for service in the autumn of the present year, when
Luitpold.

the Kaiser

is

also due.

Of the

three battleships of the 1910 programme, the Kaiserin

;

was launched at the Howaldt Yard, Kiel, on December 11th, 1911 the Konig Albert is building at the Schichau Yard, Danzig, and the Prinz Eegent Luitpold was launched at the Germania Yard, Kiel, February 17th, 1912. The three battleships of the 1911 programme have been laid down, the Ersatz Kurfiirst Friedrich Wilhelm at the Vulcan Yard, the Ersatz Weissenburg at the Weser Yard, and " S " (an additional
ship) at the Imperial Dockyard, Kiel.

pleted in the

summer
in

of 1914.

be composed of 14-in.

These ships are to be comThe main armament wUl probably instead of 12-in. guns. The Estimates of
provide, according to the
to replace the

1912-13 (prepared

December, 1911)
laying

Navy Law,
Brandenburg.

for

the

down

of a battleship

Of the battle-cruiser Von der Tann (1907 programme) a dewas given last year. On completion she was sent on a cruise to South America, and returned in time to take part in
scription

Battley^^^^"^,

Tanu,

the Coronation Picview at Spithead, the opportunity of visiting her.

when the present writer had Her displacement and speed are
viz.,

about the same as those of the Indefatigable, 27 knots.

"

18,700 tons and

On

trial

.she

attained a speed

of nearly 28 knots, and

Nauticus" reports lliat on the South America from Tenerilfe

last stage of the return

journey from

to

Heligoland

an

average speed of

46

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

24 knots was maintained. The main armament of the Von dev Tann consists of eight 11-in. guns as compared with the eight 12-in. gu)is

any inferiority in this respect appears to be more than compensated for by a secondary battery of ten 5"9-in. guns, which the Von der Tann carries on the main deck behind
of the Indefatigable, but
6-in.

armour.
battle-cruiser Moltke, of the

Moltke.

The

launched at the yard of Blohm

1910, was completed last year.

&

1908 programme, which was Voss, Hamburg, on April 7th,

particulars, taken

The following

from

"Nauticus," which differ in

Annual

of last year,
;

many respects from those given in the Naval Displacement, may be accepted as reliable
:

22,600 tons

length,

610^

ft.

beam, 96i

ft.

draught, 27
five

ft.

The
which

armament comprises ten

in the opposite direction

11-in.

guns mounted in

turrets,

are distributed as in the Neptune, but with the side turrets echeloned
;

twelve 5 9-in. guns mounted in a main

deck battery, and twelve 3*4-in. guns. This distribution gives a broadside fire from all the 10-in. guns and from six 5* 9-in, guns.
Six 11-in. and four 5 9-in. guns can be fired ahead, and eight 11-in.

and four 5 9-in. guns astern. The weight of broadside of the Moltke is thus considerably superior to that of the Indefatigable.
There
belt

are

four
is

torpedo-tubes.

Eeliable

information

as

to

the

protection

not available, but the

is

maximum
that
of
is

thickness
the
turrets

of

the
in.

armour
Moltke,

probably 7
the

in.,

and

10

The

like

Von

der

Tann,

driven

by

Parsons

turbines with 24 boilers.

The designed speed was 25^ knots with

50,000 S.H.P.

It is

claimed that the ship has attained a

maximum

29*7 knots. On the measured-mile trials the speed was 28-4 knots with 86,000 S.H.P.* The Moltke is 4000 tons larger than the Von der Tann and the British ludefatigable, and being
speed of
of later design
is naturally superior to them in fighting qualities. She must be pronounced from every point of view a very powerful

ship of her type.

The Goeben, of March 25th, 1911,

the Moltke.

the 1909
at
to

programme, which was launched on

is

She

is

Blohm & Voss Yard, be completed in the summer

the

sister-ship to

of this year.

The battle-cruisers Seydlitz (1910 programme) and programme) are also building at the Blohm & Voss Yard.
ship of the class. Ersatz Kaiserin Augusta,
is

(1911

Another

in the Estimates of

Protected
cruisers.

The Seydlitz was launched March 30th. The cruiser Magdeburg (Ersatz Buzzajrd) and Breslau (Ersatz launched respectively on May 13th and 16th, Ealke) were 1911, the former at the Weser Yard, and the latter at the Vulcan
1912-13.
*

Speed 27-25 knots on

six hours' full-power trial.

Cf.

Chapter V.

GERMAN DESTROYERS.
Yard, Stettiu.
guns.

47
about 4500 tons dis-

These ships are believed

to be of

placement, and to carry an armament of two 5*9-in. and ten 4'1-in.

In

size

of the earlier vessels of the British

and armament they are thus practically the equals Town class. Their immediate

predecessors, the Koln, etc., are credited with a speed of 27 knots

on
of

trial.

The speed of the Magdeburg will probably be the same. The Stralsund (Ersatz Cormoran) and Strassburg (Ersatz Condor),

1910 programme, were launched in 1911, the former on November 4th at the Weser Yard, the latter on August 24th at
the the Imperial Dockyard, Wilhelnishaven.

Two
Yard

cruisers of the

same

class,

but of about 5000 tons displace-

Germania summer, the Ersatz Geier at the Howaldt Yard, Kiel, in the autumn. Two similar cruisers, the Ersatz Irene and Ersatz It is stated that Prinzess Wilhelm, are to be laid down in 1912.
ment, were laid
in the

down

in 1911

the Ersatz Seeadler at the

these cruisers will

mount

8 2-in. guns.
*

down and completed ^orpedo 186-191 and V 192-7 have been completed respectively at the Germania and Yulcan Yards, and are in commission. G 7-12 are under construction at the former, V 1-6 at the latter

Two

divisions of six destroyers each are laid

every year.

yard, the
design.

builders in

each case supplying turbines of their

own
;

Twelve destroyers are being constructed by Messrs. Schichau it is uncertain whether for the German or a foreign Navy. Twelve destroyers will be laid down in 1912, to be numbered 13 to 24. Sixteen submarines, U 1-U 16, have been completed, of which Twenty-five of the crew were one, the U 3, sank in Kiel Harbour. saved the commander, a lieutenant and a seaman, who with great heroism endeavoured to save the boat, were drowned. The old gunboats Miicke, Skorpion, Crocodil, and Natter, the training vessels Ehein and Nixe, and the former despatch vessels Comet and Meteor have been removed from the list. The old
;

battleship Wiirttemberg
as a gunboat,

is

classed

as

a school ship, the Sperber

and the Schwalbe as a special service vessel. The old Moltke, depot ship for submarines, has been re-named Acheron. The Estimates for 1912 amount to 22,008,746, an increase of nearly 1,000,000 as compared with those for 1911. The ordinary permanent Estimates account for over 500,000 of this increase, there being a rise in nearly every item, owing to the expansion of the Fleet. The vote for new construction is practically the same as in 1911, viz., 7,906,508. The votes for armament show a large decrease, 3,887,057 in 1912, as compared with 4,335,440. " Other items," which include the construction and improvement of docks at Kiel, Wilhelmshaveu, etc., have risen from 668,610 to 1,512,040.

Esti-

^*^^-

48
Dockyards and works.

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

The
Estimates
include charges
for

number

of

works at

For Wilhelmshaven a floating dock is to be built, and at the same port there is to be a new foundry for cast steel, the mechanical shops are to be enlarged, the dockyard railways and other communications are to be improved, and a tug is to be built. At
the dockyards.

Kiel the mechanical shops will

be

enlarged,

and there

will be

improvements be improved

at Ellerbeck.

Bridge and other communications will

in

the

inner harbour, and there will be important

dredging in the outer harbour.

The resources

of the

Danzig Dock-

yard are to be increased, especially for

submarine-boat purposes.
are to be laid out
to be built at

There

is to

be a tug for Heligoland

new moorings
;

at Sonderburg,

with

fortified

works

magazines are

Mariensiel and Dietrichsdorf, near Wilhelmshaven, with improve-

ments
be

at those places.

At

Friedrichsort there
is to

is

to be a

new torpedo
is to

factory, the

gun-mounting shop

be enlarged, and provision

made

for the

supply of distilled water.

Several mining vessels are

to be built or others
Supple-

adapted for the purpose.

mentary
pro-

gramme.

programme laid down in the existing Navy some time under discussion. The proposals provide for the construction, in addition to the present programme, of three battleships, two small cruisers, and some submarines, the creation of a Third Squadron, and a considerable addition to the personnel. An
addition to the
for

An

Law has been

additional battleship will be laid

down

in the first year,

viz.,

1913,

and subsequently two

b|y
is

others, so that the three

to

1920.

The addition

the

may be completed programme of new construction

not as serious as at one time seemed probable, or as the agitators

the German Navy League desired. The German Eeserve Squadron already consists of eight battleships, in addition to the Wettin, which is used as a training-ship. The formation of the Third Squadron for the High Sea Fleet will take the place of the Eeserve Squadron, which in any case we had to be prepared to The proposed addition of 75 officers and 1600 men annually meet. to the 'personnel is really one of the most important features of the new programme.
of

Italy.

The Dante
her
Battleships building.
trials.

Alighieri,

which was

laid

down

in June, 1909,

and

launched at Castellammare on August 20th, 1910, has been through

The three
1911
the

battleships laid

down

in

August and September, 1910,

Yard, Sestri Ponente, on

have been launched

;

the Conte di Cavour at Spezia on August 10th,

Cesare at Ansaldo's

Giulio

ITALIAN BATTLESHIPS.
October loth
;

49

aud the Leonardo da Vinci at Odero's Yard, Genoa,

1911.

on October 14th,
beginning of 1913.
Length, 557
tons.
ft.
;

They
ft.

are

down
ft.

for

completion at the
:

The

principal
;

dimensions are as follows

;

beam, 92

draught, 28

displacement, 21,500

They have four propellers, driven by three groups of Parsons turbines, and the designed speed is 22 knots with 24,000 S.H.P.
These three ships represent an entirely fresh departure as regards
the main armament, which comprises thirteen 46-calibre 12-in. guns, mounted in five turrets. There are three three-gun turrets forward, aft, and amidships, and two two-gun turrets elevated, so that the This guns in them can fire over the forward and after turrets.
distribution gives a broadside
fire

from thirteen guns, while

addition

five

guns

can

fire

ahead or astern.

In

the

ships

carry

twenty

50-calibre 4'7-in. guns

and fourteen

3-in, guns.

They

are protected

by a water-line belt 9^ in. thick amidships, tapering to 4^ in. at the ends, and by a l|-in. armoured deck. The turrets are protected by The normal 9^-in. armour, and the 4*7-in. guns by 4|-in. armour. coal and oil supply is 1000 tons. The complement is given as 44 officers and 950 men. The battleships F and G, which have just been laid down in the New dockyards at Spezia and Castellammare, are to be named Andrea Doria ^^^,^ ^ and Duilio. They will be improved Cavours, better protected, and mounting 12-in. and 5'9-in. guns. The following particulars have
been given
91
ft.
;
:

Displacement,
ft.
;

21,500 tons

length,

570

ft.

beam,

draught, 29

main armament, probably

turrets
; ;

thirteen 12-in.

(46-calibre)

guns
;

in

five

protection

10| 6-in. armour.

H.P., 38,000

speed, 23 knots

turbine machinery.*

Two

others

and may carry 14-in. guns. The scout-cruiser Quarto was launched at Venice on August 19th, 1911. Length, 432 ft.; beam, 42| ft.; draught, 13^ ft.; full load displacement, 3250 tons. The armament consists of six 4*7-in. guns and six 3-in. guns. There are two above-water torpedo tubes. The ship is driven by two groups of Parsons turbines, each group having one high-pressure and one low-pressure turbine, with ten Blechynden The designed boilers, eight for liquid fuel and two for mixed stoking. speed is 29 knots, with 22,500 S.H.P. The normal fuel supply is 425 tons of naphthalene and 25 tons of coal. The complement will A sister-ship, the Nino Bixio, was be 12 officers and 185 men. launched at Castellammare on December 30th, where the Marsala
are projected, to be built in private yards,

Scout
^^''-

has since been put into the water.

The armoured

cruiser

Posillipo Point, in the

*

Bay

San Giorgio ran on the Gajola of Naples, when returning from a

reliable.

reef off Sau

trial

on

^^^^-

Dimensions and speed given are

Other particulars doubtful.

50

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

At
the time of the disaster
it is

August 12th.

calculated that the

cruiser displaced 10,450 metric tous, corresponding to a draught of

7 '47 m., while the reef was at a depth of from 6*8 m. to 5*8 m.

She was driven by her impetus so far over the reef that the stern was raised 9 ft. above the normal water-line, exposiug the torpedo The rock tube, and the ship heeled over 7 degrees to starboard. penetrated the double bottom, the hull being crushed, and the framing driven in for a considerable distance. About 4300 tons of
water invaded the boiler-room, magazines, and lower compartments.

The armament was removed, and the guns and turrets were sent to the Armstrong factory at Posillipo, while every effort was made to lighten the ship by taking out the conning tower and removing some of the armour and other heavy weights. Her situation was precarious, because she rested chiefly on the amidships third of her length, some of the after part being lifted clear of the water, and the forward part having little support. When eflforts had been made to close the hull of the cruiser from the inrush of the sea, a measure which presented much difficulty, supports were built up where necessary, with the object of preventing straining of the hull. Several vessels stood by to render assistance, and the collective pumping power at work to keep down the water amounted to 15,000 tons per hour. Fortunately the weather was favourable, but the absence of tide placed the salvage workers at a disadvantage. The cruiser was divided into transverse compartments, and cement was employed to make them watertight. These arrangements were not entirely satisfactory, and
in

the

case

of

the

boiler-room
to.

the

compressed-air

system of

excluding water was resorted

yard,

At Castellammare,

the Pattison

and elsewhere, several " camels," cylindrical in form, and each with an internal capacity of 350 tons, were made, analogous to those employed in the case of the Gladiator, and with this She was docked in the assistance the San Giorgio was floated. commercial harbour at Naples, where the present writer saw the extent of the under-water damage. A work that almost amounted to under-water reconstruction had to be taken in hand, and the cruiser is now almost ready for service. The Rivista Marittima
remarks

more fortunate than the Montagu, the Bedford, or the San Giorgio's mishap took place in the neighbourhood of a dockyard and private works which presented every facility for assistance, to which circumstance unquestionably the salving of the
that,

Sully, the

vessel
Flotillas.

is

due.

Of the six destroyers of 650 tons, built by Messrs. Pattison at Naples, some are nearly completed and some are in service. They

ITALIAN ESTIMATES.
are

51
are

30-kuot boats,

with

oil

stoking,

aud

named Impavido,
Messrs.

Impetuoso, ludomito, Insidioso, Intrepido, and Irriquieto.

Orlando are building four others

turbines.

at

Leghorn

the Ardito and Ardente,

with Parsons turbines, and the Audace and Animoso, with Zoelly
torpedo-boats of 120 tons, provided hand as follows, several of them having been launched: 1 P.N. to 12 P.K, oil stoking (Pattison, Naples); 13 O.S. to 24 O.S. (Odero, Genoa); 25 A.S. to 32 A.S. (Ansaldo,
for in 1909, are

Thirty-two coast-defence
in

Genoa).

The F.I.A.T. San Giorgio Company, at Spezia, have completed submarines Medusa, Velella and Argo, launched complete (250-300 tons, 13-8 -5 knots), and five others are in hand Palea, Fisalia, Fantina, Salpa and Zoea. The Atropo has been built at the Ger mania Yard, Kiel (330 tons, 13 knots). The Galileo Ferraris and Giacinto Pullino have been begun at Spezia (Cavallini type, 400 tons, 18-14 knots). The Nautilus and Nereide are being built at Venice. The river-gunboat Sebastiano Caboto (800 tons) is in hand, and a surveying vessel, Ammiraglio Magnaghi, 1800 tons, 14 knots, is
the

Sub-

to be built.

and Derna, which were captured at Captured been added to the Italian Navy under the names of Capitano Verri and Bengazi. The Navy Estimates for 1912-13 amount to 8,675,000 as Navy compared with 7,808,000 for 1911-12. Under the head of mates. ordinary general expenditure there is an increase of 50,000 for pensions and 176,000 for subsidies to the Mercantile Marine (the latter possibly due to the number of ships taken up for the war in Tripoli). The ordinary expenditure for naval services stands
vessels Thetis

The Turkish
beginning

the

of

the war, have

at

about the same figure as last year,

etc.,

viz.,

6,473,000.

All the

items for pay, victualling,

are compensated
last for

show considerable

increases, but these

by

the

disappearance of 400,000 expended

year under the

law of June 27th, 1909.

The vote
is,

for

new

construction amounts to 2,400,000, an increase of less than 60,000

over the amount voted in the previous year.

There

however, in
it

addition a supplementary vote for shipbuilding of 177,303, and

is

proposed

to

spend

400,000

on purposes

other

than ship-

building.

Austria-Hungary.

The

Zrinyi, last of the three battleships of the class, has been

fleet

completed, and joined the

on August 31st, 1911. E 2

The Viribus Unitis

(IV.), the first of the four battleships of tlie

52

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

at the Stabilimento Tecnico,

new Austrian programme, was launched At the date Trieste, on June 24, 1911-.
cent.

of the launch she

had been

eleven months in hand, and was advanced to the extent of 45 per

was 70. Some particulars of Length, 495 ft. beam, 89 ft. 6 in. these ships were given last year. mean draught, 27 ft. displacement, 20,000 tons. The main armament consists of twelve 12-in. guns, mounted in triple turrets on the

On December

1 the percentage

centre line, two turrets at either end.

is

The inner
lb.

turret in both cases

elevated, so that there

is

bow and
is

stern fire from six 12-in. guns,

while the weight of broadside

11,904
is

All the 12-in. guns have

an arc of
tected

fire

of 300 degrees.

There

a secondary battery of twelve

mounted on the upper deck between the turrets, proarmour, besides eighteen 2"8-in. (of which six are the higher turrets, and twelve are on the upper deck) on mounted and six smaller quick-firers. One hundred and thirty rounds are
5*9-in. guns,

by

6-in.

carried for each of the 12-in. guns, 200 rounds for the 5'2-in. guns,

and about 2000 rounds for the quick-firers. There are three 18-in. The hull is protected by a complete water-line belt The side above the 11 in. thick amidships, 4f in. thick at the ends. belt is covered with 6-in. armour from the forward turret to No. 3
torpedo-tubes.

have 12-in. armour, and the protective deck is The propelling machinery consists of three sets of The turbine engines, with Yarrow boilers for coal or oil stoking. The full coal designed speed is 20*5 knots, with 25,000 S.H.P.
turret.

The

turrets

2^

in.

thick.

supply

is

2000

tons.

No. v., being the second ship of the same class, was laid down at the Stabilimento Tecnico, Trieste, in August, 1910, and on December 1 had advanced 37 per cent, towards completion. She
is

on March 21st, by a tidal wave and heavy storms. No. VI. was laid down on January 15th, 1912, on the slip vacated by the Viribus Unitis, and it seems doubtful if she can be launched this year, as was intended, owing to damage done

named

the

Tegetthoff,
this

and

was

launched

1912.

Work upon

ship was retarded

by the great storm

in the

but

it is

hoped that she will be ready

for service

summer of 1914. No. VII., being the fourth ship of the class, was laid down on January 29th, 1912, at the Danubius Yard,

Fiume, where two large berths have been constructed, the aftermost part of them beiug cut out from the rock, and where extensive

Danubius Yard has

Cruisers.

shops for shipbuilding purposes have been built. built only small vessels.

Hitherto the

are under construction.

Three protected cruisers of the Admiral Spaun type, G, H, and Displacement, 3500 tons. Engine power

J,
is

increased from 21,000 to 25,000, and the speed from 26 to 27 knots.

RUSSIAN PROGRESS.

53

G is in hand at the Monfalcone Yard, near Trieste, and H at the Danubius Yard, Fiume, where J is to be built. Two berths for vessels of this class have been constructed by the Danubius
Company. Under the Fleet Law, six destroyers of 800 tons are to be built, and the contract was given to the Danubius Yard, Fiume, April 1st, The boats were to be laid down in the autumn of that year. 1911. They will be oil-driven. Twelve destroyers of 200 tons are also
provided
for.

Destroy-

Seven submarines have been completed, and six others (U 8-U 13) are to be built. A submarine tender, the Vulcan, has been launched, and will have Diesel motors. The salvage vessel Hercules has been
completed.
Tiie Habsburg has been Arpad and Babenberg are
refitted

Sub-

to be

taken in hand.
to

and partly reconstructed, and tlie Three Austrian

be converted into

Refits,

Lloyd steamers have been purchased, and are

hospital ships.

The 22,500-ton completed, and was

and

floating
first

dock

for

the

new

battleships has been Floating

used

for the

Viribus Unitis.

In 1911 there were 817

cadets), in addition to

officers (of

whom

180 were midshipmen

Person-

702

officers of auxiliary corps

engineers,

doctors, paymasters, etc.

328 warrant

officers.

Tlie

The crews numbered 14,328, including numbers are to be increased gradually to

18,500 in 1913.

EussiA.

very considerable change for the better has taken place in

Vice- Admiral

Eussian Naval Administration during the past year.

Marine.
order,
for

Grigorovitch has already proved himself to be a vigorous Minister of

The Duma, now that the Administration has been

set in

have been liberal in granting the increased funds demanded the Navy. An extensive programme of new construction is in

hand, the supervision of which the Russian Admiralty have been wise enough to place in the hands of Messrs. John

Brown &

Co.

and Messrs. Vickers.

The Navy Estimates

are to be devoted to

for 1912 amount to 17,447,950. 7,616,850 new construction, not including a supplementary
sliips.

estimate, 1,221,875, for the Black Sea

.

was recorded last year, is, at last, now out She was laid down iji 1903, and has consequently been eight years under construction. Displacement, 17,200 tons speed, 18 knots; armament, four 12-in., fourteen 8-in., and twelve 4*7-in.
of which the completion
of baud.
;

The Imperator Pavel /

1

I.,

sister-ship to the

Andrei Pervozvannyi,

i_

^attleships completed.

54
guns.

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

These ships

may

be classed with the

Agamemnon and Lord

Nelson.

The

Evstafi, also laid

down

in 1903, has at last been completed

at Nikolaieff,

on the Black Sea.

Displacement, 12,733 tons

speed,

16 knots; armament, four

Battle. ships

12-in., four 8-in,,

and twelve 6-in. guns.

launched.

The sister ship, loann Zlatoust, is also completed. The four battleships laid down in the spring of 1909 have been launched the Sevastopol on June 29th, 1911, the Poltava on July 10th, the Petropavlovsk on September 9th, and the Gangut on

October 7th.
the

Particulars of these ships have already been given in

Naval Annual.

Displacement, 23,000 tons.

Main armament,

twelve 12-in. guns, which are to be mounted, as in the Italian ships, The remarkable feature of these vessels is the in four triple turrets.
speed,

New

pro-

down as 23 knots, with 42,000 S.H.P. The naval programme introduced in 1910 was based upon
which
is set

a very

gramme.
Baltic.

wide view of the situation, both in the Baltic

and the Black Sea,

and provided

for a Fleet establishment,

with building periods, dates

and the necessary increase of the 'perThe complete scheme proposed the construction of vessels sonnel. up to the year 1920, and involved an expenditure of ^670,000,000. The programme since put before the Duma involves an expendiFour battleships or ture of 50,274,000, spread over five years. battle-cruisers, of 26,000 tons displacement, and mounting 13-5-in. The programme guns, are to be laid down in 1912 for the Baltic. thirty-six destroyers, and and cruisers protected nine also includes The of the Fleet. base principal the the completion of Reval as
for the obsolescence of ships,

comprise eight capital ships, and the four ships above 1911 viz., the four battleships launched in mentioned" twenty cruisers, thirty-six destroyers, twelve submarines,
establishment of the Baltic Fleet
is to

Black Sea.

and mining, school and transport vessels. According to the programme the Black Sea Fleet must have one and a half times the strength of the fleet of the other Black Sea It has been decided to put in hand three battleships, Powers. nine large destroyers (said to be of 1100 tons), and six submarines. It was necessary to reorganise the shipyards, and accordingly the
Belgian

Company

at Nikolaieff has enlarged its resources, in associa-

tion with Messrs. Vickers, in order to build one of the new ships, the Ekaterina II., while Messrs. John Brown & Co. entered into a like arrangement with the firm of Ivauoff' & Bunge, of Nikolaieff, at

whose yard the Imperator Alexander III. and Imperatritsa Maria are being built. The following particulars of these battleships, which were officially laid down at the end of October, 1911, have been beam, length, 551^ ft. published : Displacement, 22,500 tons
; ;

RUSSIA.
89ift.; draught, 27^^-;
speecl,

55

21 knots; coal supply, 3000 tons.

guns.

The armament
triple

will comprise twelve 12-in.

turrets

and

twelve

G-in.

They

guns mounted in four will be fitted with

turbine engines.

In addition to the vessels indicated above there are in hand for Torpedo
the Black Sea nine destroyers, of 450 tons, and one submarine boat.

Two

other vessels of the latter class were to be built, but the

money

has been diverted to other purposes.

For the Baltic Fleet, the torpedo-cruiser Novik, 1260 tons, a submarine of about 500 tons, and a submarine salvage vessel are under construction at the
cost of

the League for Strengthening the Fleet.

The Novik was

launched in July, 1911.

The gunboats Karo and Ardagan, five mine-sweepers (150 tons), Caspian, and some transports have been completed. The old ships Minin, General Admiral, and Gerzog Edinburgski, Mining have been converted into mine-layers, as well as the Ladoga, Narovna, and Onega. The Ijorsky yard has delivered five mining vessels of 150 tons. In the Black Sea the transports Beresina and Shilka have been converted for the same purpose. The following vessels have been removed from the list The old Vessels battleship Dvenadzat Apostoloff, the cruisers Admiral Korniloff and Asia, torpedo-boats Pronsitelny, Pylki, and 17 known by numbers, the submarine Forel, and many gunboats, transports and harbour
:

craft.

Eeval
in such a

is

to be

developed into a

first-class

naval base, with

all

the Naval

resources of a great dockyard.

There are
capacity.
plant,

Quays and moles are to be extended manner that the Active Fleet may be accommodated there. to be two dry docks for battleships, one for cruisers, and a
craft, as

double dock for torpedo

well as a floating dock of 30,000 tons

Machinery shops are to be built and supplied with

new

and there are to be oil and coal depots, stores, magazines, a hospital and other requirements of a dockyard. The port will be provided with defensive works on the sea and land sides, and with every equipment and supply for mine defence. Other docks for battleships, cruisers and destroyers are proposed for the use of the Second Active Squadron, and there is to be a supplementary base, well defended, and fully equipped for the fitting and coaling of ships. Kronstadt is also to be provided with greater facilities. New works
are contemplated at Sevastopol, Nikolaieff (where a 30,000-ton floating

dock

is

to be built

from British designs), and Vladivostok, and on

in the

the coasts signal and wii-eless telegraph stations are to be established.

During manoeuvres

]>lack Sea,

on (Jctoher

2n(l,

the fleet Mishap,

was proceeding

in lim;

ahead when the i'anteleimon took the ground

56

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

and received some damage. Coal and ammunition were removed, and the ship was towed off. The Evstafi also touched the bottom, but received little damage. A committee of inquiry, presided over by Vice- Admiral Sazarenny, held Vice-Admiral Bostroem, Commanderin-Chief, to blame, and he was relieved of his command.

United States.
Secretary's

Mr. Meyer, Secretary of the Navy, in his Eeport

efficiency

for the year

Report.

ending June 30th, 1911, refers with just pride to the increased

and considerable economies effected in various branches of naval expenditure owing to the improved systems of administration
recently
" the

Under the present organisation," he says, work accomplished has been expedited with economy and unusual efficiency. Economy is shown by the fact that the effective
introduced.

"

material strength of the

appropriations.

Navy

has been increased within the annual,

Efficiency

is

shown by the

facility

with which

business has been transacted."

as is

The number of ships available for shown by the following table

:

active service has been increased,

Vessels op the Navy Ready fob Service, and those Undergoing Extensive Repairs at the end op Certain Calender Years.

UNITED STATES BATTLESHIPS.

providing

57
of

money

prizes

for

the

engineering crew

the
"

ship

showing the best results in

are

speed and fuel

consumption.

We
it

now

mnintaining," says the Eeport, " a Fleet about 20 per cent,

larger than the one in

commission two years ago, and are doing

less."

with an appropriation under this Bureau of $400,000

in the manufacture of

Considerable economies have been effected in the cost of docking,

articles

of equipment, in
etc.

the manufacture

of powder, in

tlie

store-keeping system,
the

Mr. Meyer visited

principal
private

English dockyards and some of

in

the

shipyards

the

summer, and formed a very

Battleships

favourable opinion of the system of administration.

The Florida and Utah, which were laid down in March, 1909, have been completed. Displacement, 21,825 tons; speed, 21 knots; armament, ten 12-in. and sixteen 5-in. guns. These ships have The Utah is reported already been described in the Naval Annual. to have attained a speed of 21*6 knots on her trials with 28,477
S.H.P.

comP^*^^^-

She is driven by Parsons The Wyoming was launched

turbines.
at

Messrs. Cramp's Yard, Philasister-ship, the

Battle-

delphia, on

May

25th, 1911.

Her

Arkansas, was launched.

Company's Yard earlier in the year. Displacement, 26,000 tons; armament, twelve 12-in. guns, in turrets on the centre line speed, 20^ knots with 28,000
launched at the
Shipbuilding
;

New York

S.H.P.

These ships are also

fitted

with Parsons turbines.

Battle
u^iler

Of the two battleships of the 1910 programme, the Texas was down at the Newport News Shipbuilding Co.'s Yard, and the New York at the New York Navy Yard, on September 11th, 1911. Length, 573 ft. beam, 95^ ft. mean draught, 28^ ft. displacement, 27,000 The armament comprises tons speed, 21 knots with 35,000 S.H.P.
laid
;

construc-

ten 14-in. guns, in five turrets on the centre line, and twenty-one

The arrangement of the turrets is similar to that of those Nineof the Orion, the second and fourth turrets being elevated. teen of the 5-in. guns are mounted on the main deck, ten being in a The remaining two 5-in. central battery protected by 6-in. armour. guns are mounted on the superstructure near the conning tower. The hull is protected by a complete water-line belt of 12-in. maximum thickness amidships. Above the belt is a strake of 9-in. armour up to the main deck and extending from the funnel to the after turret. The transverse bulkheads are of 10-in. armour. The armour on the turrets is 12-in. thick, that on the gun-houses 14-in. to 8-in. tliick. In these ships the turbine has been abandoned for the
5-in. guns.

reciprocating engine, which

the Secretary states

is

about 30 per cent,

more economical
at high speeds.

at cruising speeds and of about the

same economy

58

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

The two battleships of the 1911 programme have been named Oklahoma and Nevada. The contracts liave been awarded respectively to the New York Shipbuilding Company and the Fore River Shipbuilding Company. Displacement, 27,500 tons. The design shows a main armament of ten 14-in. guns, mounted in two double and two triple turrets. The Oklahama will be driven by reciprocating engines, the Nevada by Curtis turbines, both ships using only oil fuel.

No
De.
stroyers.

cruisers are

under construction
class destroyers

for the

United States Navy.

completed.

six

The five Fanning

Ammen
class

have been
All

The

have

been

launched.

these destroyers are

Submarines.

New
pro-

gramme.

and carry an armament of five 3-in. guns. The 1911 programme have Four to Messrs. Cramp & Sons (Zoelly been awarded as follows turbines), two to the Bath Iron Works (Parsons turbines), and one each to the New York Shipbuilding Co. and the Fore River Co. (Curtis turbines). Displacement, 1040 tons speed, 29^ knots, with 16,000 H.P. armament, five 4-in. guns, the most powerful armament yet mounted in a destroyer. The names of submarines have been substituted by classes with numbers, the earliest boats being designated Al, A2, etc., the latest boats K5, 6, 7, 8. Fifteen boats are under construction, viz., G1-G4, H1-H3, K1-K8. K5-K8 were authorised in 1911. The H and K types are of about 500 tons displacement. The programme, for motives of economy, is limited to the construction of two battleships and two colliers, which will barely maintain the strength of the Battle Fleet, but the Democratic
of 900 tons displacement

contracts for the eight destroyers of the

:

caucus in Congress refused to vote

of

any battleships

at

all.

The
and

Secretary put in an urgent plea in his Report for the construction

cruiser-battleships,
scouts,

and destroyers,

besides

repair

supply vessels, but did not suggest estimates for their construction.

He

considered that four destroyers and one scout should be laid

down

and that one supply ship and one ammunition Eight ship are required for each squadron of eight battleships. laid therefore down every destroyers and two scouts should be
for every battleship,

year.

Naval
bases and docks.

the

In the Naval Annual of 1910 the suggestions of the Secretary of Navy for the suppression of the smaller Navy yards was referred

to at length.

The

Secretary, in the Report for 1911

from which we

have already quoted, again urges the necessity

:

" If we were freshly and readjustment of the Navy yards. He says confronted with the duty of locating and building the naval stations

for the concentration

required in the Atlantic, without regard to existing stations, the

interests of the nation

and the Navy would be best served by the

UNITED STATES NAVAL BASES.

59

establishment of one first-class naval station on the coast north of

the Delaware, equipped for docking, repairing, and provisioning at
least half the entire Fleet,

Norfolk (Chesapeake Bay).

rendezvous at
facilities to

and one station of the same capacity at This would be supplemented by a Fleet Guantanamo, with sufficient docking and repairing
an ample torpedo-

enable the Fleet to maintain itself in that vicinity for

;

considerable periods, but not for extensive repairs

boat base at Charleston

a torpedo and submarine base at

Key West

and a station for the large reserve fleet at Philadelphia." Mr. Meyer's remarks relating to the Panama Canal, which is approaching completion, are worthy of serious note " The Panama Canal, which for all practical purposes will become a part of our coast line, and is destined to become the most important strategical point in the Western Hemisphere, makes a Caribbean naval base, with adequate docking and repair facilities, absolutely necessary. The best location for this station is Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, which we now hold. Assuming that we will continue to maintain an
:

efficient

Fleet, this base

not only will enable us to control the

of approach to the canal, but, with a
will render the

Caribbean, with all

torpedo base at

its lines

Key West,

Gulf of Mexico immune

from attack."

The

are great.

Navy

accommodation in the United States There are more dry docks at Portsmouth than in all the yards of the United States. Steps are being taken to remedy
deficiencies in docking

and Puget Sound is under construction at Pearl Harbour, Mr. Meyer recommends should be lengthened to 1000 ft. The Secretary urges the opening on a large scale of the Alaskan
the deficiency.
at

The two large docks

;

New York

will be completed in 1912

the third dock, which

coalfield for naval

purposes.

The

coal has been fully tested

and

found satisfactory.
Personwl. An increase of 2000 men in the personnel is urged. The new battleship Delaware accomplished two very remarkable Voyage of performances last year. Between January 31 and April 25 she made ^^*^* the voyage of 17,000 miles to Valparaiso and back, stopping only at Rio on the return journey. On arrival at Boston, Captain Grove reported that no repairs were needed, and that the ship the day before had averaged 20 knots for 2^ hours, with two boilers out of fourteen under forced draught. On June 4th the Delaware left New York for the Coronation Keview, with 2747 tons of coal and 282 tons of oil. She took no supplies while abroad, and returned to Boston on July 9, with 607 tons of coal and 18 tons of oil remaining. The average speed was 11*85 knots.

60
Naval
review.
/.

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

In October a great naval review was held on the Hudson. Twenty1

four battleships, four cruisers, twenty-two destroyers, sixteen torpedo-

boats and eight submarines, besides other vessels, took part. At the same time twenty-four vessels of the Pacific Fleet assembled off Los Angeles, California. These reviews are said to have had a favourable effect on recruiting.

Japan.

In the Naval Annual

last ,year, the

special

features

of

the

Japanese shipbuilding programme were explained as well as the

rapid obsolescence of vessels, indicating the need of a further pro-

gramme, and the financial constriction that affected the preparation of such a programme. At a Cabinet meeting on November 24th, a compromise was arrived at, which appears to have been much more to the mind of the Minister of Finance than of Baron Saito, Minister of Marine. A scheme of construction covering the years up to 1920 was under consideration, involving an outlay not far short of 40,000,000, but it was decided to authorize an outlay of 9,250,000 only for 1912-17, making provision for the building of one battleship (Fuso) and three battle-cruisers, and, in view of the present heavy demands on the exchequer, to lay the chief burden on the The distribution of expenditure would be as years 1915 and 1916. follows: 1912, 250,000; 1913 and 1914, 1,000,000 each; 1915, The economists 1916, 4,500,000 2,000,000 1917, 500,000. thus secured their object of restricting immediate expenditure, and But at the same time made a concession to the Navy Department. the Minister of Marine is stated not to be content, and is reported to have said that the minimum programme, which ought to be commenced and completed between 1913-1920, was eight battleships
;

and eight
Battle-

cruiser-battleships, as well as sixteen small cruisers, at a

cost of over 35,000,000.

The battleship Aki, laid down in March, 1906, and launched in was completed in April, 1911. Displacement, 19,800 She has a mixed but powerful armament of four 12-in., twelve tons. The Settsu, laid down at the Yokosuka 10-in., and eight 6-in. guns. Navy Yard in January, 1909, was launched on April 1st, 1911. Her sister-ship, the Kawachi, was launched on October 15th, 1910. They
April, 1907,

are to be completed in the spring of 1912.

Displacement, 20,800

tons

speed, 20j^ knots.

12-in., ten 6-in.,

These ships carry an armament of twelve and twelve 4'7-in. guns. The battleship Fuso will
Kure.
It is said that the displacement will be

be laid

down

at

30,000 tons, and that the ship will mount 15-in. guns.
first

She

is

the

vessel of the

new programme.

JAPANESE CRUISERS.
Four
laid

61

battle-cruisers

are
is

under

construction.

Displacement,

Battlecriiis6rs

The Hiyei was Yokosuka the orders for the Kirishima and the Haruna were placed in May, 1911, respectively with the Mitsubishi Company, Nagasaki, and the Kawasaki Shipbuilding Company, Kobe two private firms which
27,500 tons.
building at Barrow.

The Kongo

down

in (October, 1911, at the Imperial Dockyard,

for the first time

undertake large warship construction.

in

Engineer
the
cruisers,

Eear- Admiral Fujii,

Institute of

paper at the Jubilee INIeeting of

Xaval Architects, stated that three of these

of 64,000 H.P.

including the Vickers ship, will have Parsons turbines, and

fourth Curtis turbines

the

and sixteen 6-in. guns. Three others, as laid down. The three cruisers Hirado, Shikuma and Yahagi have been Cruisers. launched. Displacement, 4800 tons length, 475 ft. beam, 46^ft. draught, I65 ft. speed, 26 knots armament, six 6-in., four 3-in. The destroyers Yamakase and Umikase have been completed. DeDisplacement about 1200 tons speed, 35 knots. Two others of the class, Sakura and Tashibana, are in hand at Kure, of which the former was launched on December 20th, 1911. The Harusame, 374 tons, 29 knots, launched at Yokosuka in 1902, has been lost with officers and men. Three submarines, Nos. 10, 11 and 12, have been launched. The Toba, river-gunboat, was launched at Sasebo, almost complete, on November 7th. The works at Chinhaiwan, which is to be the headquarters of Harbour
;
;

Armament, eight 13'5-in. is shown above, are to be

the

fifth

naval

district,

approach completion.
flotillas.

Makung

has been

equipped as a base for the

Nagasaki, dock No. 3
is to

At

the

Mitsubishi Yard,

be lengthened and widened for the recep-

tion of the largest ships.

The dry dock

at Sasebo, for vessels

up

to

30,000 tons displacement, has been completed.

SECONDARY NAVIES.
Argentina.

In a recent Memorandum communicated

Rear-Adiiiiral
situation of the Argentine Fleet,
of expansion, better training,

to the National Congress,

Saens Valiente, Minister of Marine, explained the

and gave his views as to the need and the provision of new resources. He

strongly enforced the necessity of caring for the interests of officers

and men, and

said that their training

considerations regarding material.

was at least as important as Pay must be increased, seamen's

62

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

barracks must be built, and, more than

all, mancEuvres and exercises must not be restricted by want of supplies. Coal and ammunition must be provided in sufficiency for these objects. The Minister said that the ships of the Garibaldi class were in good condition, and were

being reboilered at the national establishments.

necessary auxiliary purposes.

He

added that there

were a number of vessels which could be employed or converted for

It was, however, necessary that there

should be annual provision for the replacing of the obsolescent vessels,

so that

an established strength might be maintained.

The

"

thermo-

tank

"

system of magazine refrigeration was being installed in the

Pueyrredon and Almirante Brown, and was to be generally applied. The contracts for the building of the two battleships were being punctually observed, and the steel supplied by the Bethlehem Company gave complete satisfaction. Twenty officers were attached to the United States Navy, and on their return were to be appointed to the new battleships. The Minister's report further stated that the naval development implied much work at the harbours and bases. At Bahia Blanca the plant must be modernised and increased, a dry dock must be constructed (for which the contract, it appears, has since been given to a German firm at a price of 1,400,000), and new magazines must be built, as well as houses and barracks for officers and men. In the La Plata river the bed of the stream must be dredged for the laying out of mooring berths, and at the naval establishment the machinery shops must be enlarged, petroleum tanks must be provided, and there must be a torpedo station and range as well as barracks and a hospital. The Minister reported that the personnel included 516 executive
officers,

106 engineers, 43 medical

5

officers,

2 torpedo engineers, 17
officials.

electricians,

naval constructors, and 74 administrative

officers

There were 7147 non-commissioned

specialists
for the

new

ships required to

and men, and a corps of The various be created.

25th,

classes of the reserve

numbered 11,411 men.

Eivadavia, laid

The

battleship

down May

1910,

was

launched at the Fore River Yard, on August 26th, 1911, and her These sister-ship, the Moreno, on September 9th, at Camden, N.J. Length, 585 ft. beam, 98 ft. ships were fully described last year.
;

displacement, 27,600

armament, twelve

22^ knots. and twenty-seven months respectively for the completion of these ships. It is unlikely that they will be completed within the contract time. Twelve 32- knot destroyers have been launched, four in British, four in French, and four in German yards (two Germania and two
;

guns

speed,

and twelve 6-in. The contract allowed twenty-four months

12-in.

Schichau).

The Schichau

boats,

Cordoba and La Plata,

it is

reported.

; ; ;

BRAZir>

CHILE.
trials

63
a

both attaiued on their six hours' acceptance

mean speed

of

34 7 knots, and the latter made a period of 36*8 knots.

maximum

speed for a considerable

Brazil.

The

battleship Eio de Janeiro has been delayed

by modifications
:

in the design.

She is in an early stage of construction at Elswick Length, 632 ft. beam, 89 ft. displacement, 27,500 tons. The
;
;

armament comprises fourteen 12-in. 6-in. guns, ten 3-pdrs., and three protected by a belt of 9-in, armour 9-in. and 6-in. armour on the side

guns in double
torpedo
tubes.

turrets,

twenty

The hull is (K.C. and Armstrong), and by above the belt. The turrets have 9-in. armour, and the secondary battery is protected by 6-in. armour. There are three armoured decks (2 in., 1^ in., and 1 in.) Parsons turbines Babcock and Wilcox boilers machinery by
;

Messrs. Vickers.

Speed, 22 knots.
tons.

Coal supply, normal, 1500 tons

maximum, 3000
The building

Complement, 1100.
Three

of the third cruiser, Ceara, has been delayed.

submersibles of the Laurenti type have been built at the F.I. A.T. San
Giorgio yard, Spezia.

Chile.

The
Chile.

craze for the construction of monster battleships

which has
reached

pervaded South America during the last few years has

now

two battleships was proposed. The to Valparaiso last year was probably not unconnected with the fact that tenders for these ships had been The tenders from British firms were considerably lower, called for.

The construction despatch of the Delaware

of

as in the

case of the

Argentine battleships, than those of their

competitors in the United States.

to bear

In spite of the pressure brought

on the Chilian Government, Messrs. Armstrong have secured Displacement, 28,000 tons the order for one of these ships. armament, ten 14-in. and twenty-two 4*7-in. guns.
Six powerful destroyers are being built by Messrs. J. Samuel

White &
beam, 32

length, 320 ft. H. P., 27,000. Speed, 31 knots. Maximum fuel capacity, 80 tons oil and 427 tons coal. Armament, six 4-in. guns, two Maxims, and three 18-in. torpedo tubes.
Co.,

Cowes.
;

Displacement, 1500 tons

ft.

ft.

in.

draught, 11

64

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

China.

which brought about the creation of the Chinese Eepublic, the Navy generally supported the revolution and played an important part in the fighting on the Yang-Tse. The training cruiser Ying-Swei was launched at Barrow on

During the

rising

latter is

July 13th, and the Chao-Hao at Elswick on October 23rd. somewhat larger 2750 tons as compared with 2500

The
tons.

Armament, draught, 13 ft. 3 in. beam, 42 ft. ft. two 6-in., four 4-in., and two 3-pdr. guns and two torpedo tubes. She will have Yarrow and cylindrical boilers, and Parsons turbines Speed, 22 knots. supplied by Messrs. Hawthorne, Leslie & Co. 350. Complement, Maximum coal supply, 600 tons. A 400-ton destroyer is being built by Schichau at Elbing, and
Length, 330
; ;

another at the Stabilimento Tecnico, Trieste.

An

named Wufong, and steamed

Admiralty yacht has been built and launched at 14 knots on her trials.

at Kiao-chau,

Denmark.
Provision was
the Peder

made in 1911 for beginning Skram type improved.

a coast-defence ship of

The torpedo-boat Soridderen, built by Messrs. Yarrow at Scots4700 and 4800 H.P., attained a speed of 27*2 knots on her three hours' trial, or rather more than the contract Yarrow boilers and Brown-Curtis turbines. The Soiilven speed. has been launched at Copenhagen, and the Flyvefisken has been Three others of the class are in hand at delivered by Schichau. Copenhagen dockyard and in the yard of Burmeister & Wain
toun, with between

230

tons,

27 knots.
Greece.

Provision

is

made by
a
cost

the

Estimates of 1912
torpedo

for

building
at

new

cruiser

at

of 1,080,000,

craft

a cost of

It is the completion of the Salamina arsenal. intended partially to reconstruct and re-arm the ships of the Hydra

320,000, and

class.

The submersible Delphin has been launched at Chalon-surSaone; 300-460 tons, 164 feet long, 14-9 knots, 5 tubes.

;;

NETHERLANDS

NORWAY.

65

Netherlands.

The Estimates of 1912 amount to a total sum of 1,730,992, being To the former coast defence programme, for building'of vessels for the defence of the Dutch East the another Indies has been added, which includes four armoured vessels. In
an increase of 12,847.

1912 the Estimates provide

vessels at the royal dockyard,

for the laying

down

of

one of these

Amsterdam
;

Displacement, 7480 tons

commenced

reciprocating engines of 10,000 H.P.

four 11-in. 45-calibre guns in

three torpedo tubes.

speed, 18 knots. Armament, two double turrets, ten 4'1-in. guns, Armour, 6-in. side and 10-in. barbettes. Four
in 1912.

180-ton 30-knot torpedo boats are also to be

Four destroyers, 480 tons, were laid down in 1911, and two others of the class, the Bulhond and Jackhals, are completing. These are of the same class as the Fret and Wolf. Four destroyers are to be completed in 1912, as well as three armoured gunboats. Messrs. "Whitehead have built at Fiume a submarine of improved Holland type 150 tons submerged, 105 ft. long, 10 ft. moulded beam, 300 H.P. Diesel engines for surface propulsion and 300 H.P. electric motor for use submerged, statical diving gear, two bow tubes, and four torpedoes, 3-ton drop keel, lifting eyes, outward connections for pumping in air, telephone buoy, submarine signal apparatus, etc. At the trials the greatest surface speed was 11*2 knots, range at 10

knots, 1000 nautical miles

23 min.

at

endurance at 7 knots submerged, 6 hours 8"6 knots, 3 hours, and at 11 knots, 1 hour. So great was
;

the success that further orders were placed, so that of this type eleven
boats are under construction, for one of which, 380 tons, the following

guarantees

have been given

at 8 knots,

Greatest

surface

speed,

16 knots

range of 11 knots, 2600 miles; endurance submerged, at 11 knots,

1 hour,
Indies.

and

3j hours.

This boat

is

intended for the East

Some

of the boats are being built at Flushing

under the

and one of the 150-ton class has been launched. Two submarines are to be completed in 1912. Tlie two mine-layers provided for in 1910 have received the
direction of Messrs. Whitehead,

names of Medusa and Hydra,

Norway.
Early in January, 1912, the Ministerial Council presented to the

memorandum, in which the decline of Norwegian naval strength was indicated, and a warning given that the country could not depend ii[>on the
Storthing a scheme of naval expansion, accompanied by a
perpetual maintenance of peace, and be sure of keeping free from
F

66

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

The Fleet, it was stated, was no longer and a programme of new construction must be

international complications.

equal to
adopted.

its duties,

This programme proposes an established strength of eight coast

defence armoured vessels, six destroyers, forty torpedo boats, twelve

submarines, four gunboats, one mine layer, and other vessels converted

The immediate object is to build at a cost of 900,000 two of the armoured vessels, of which the following particulars have beam, 50 ft. draught, Length, 295 ft. 3 in. been published Armament, two knots. 9'4-in., four 5-9-in., 16 ft. 4 in. speed, 15 four or six 12 pdrs. or smaller guns, and two submerged torpedo
for that purpose.
:

tubes.

Sums

of

50,000 are

to be

expended on improvements at the

naval station in the Ofoten Fjord and of 35,000 on ammunition.

Peru.

The Peruvian Government have acquired by purchase the French armoured cruiser Dupuy de Lome, 6676 tons, launched in 1890 and completed in 1893. She has received the name of Elias Aquirre.

POETUGAL.

On
Carlos

the institution of the Portuguese Eepublic, in

the

events

leading to which the

I,

Navy took an

active part, the cruiser

Dom
Eeis,

built at Elswick in 1898,

was re-named Almirante

and the Eainha Amelia became the Ptepublica. A Bill has been drafted by the Minister of Marine proposing to build for the Portuguese Navy three battleships and three scouts, besides torpedo vessels and submarines, at a total cost of about
8,800,000.
October.

The small cruiser Sao Only one life was

Eafael, of
lost.

1800

tons,

was wrecked

in

A vessel for

fishery protection, the Lynce, has been launched at

the Orlando yard, Leghorn.

Spain.

The battleship Espana was launched on February

the Sociedad Espaiiola de

5th, 1912,

by

Construccion Naval, a combination in

which Messrs. Vickers, Armstrong and John Brown are interested. The Spanish Government, like the Eussian Government, has been wise enough to secure th skill and experience of British firms in

SPAIN
carrying out their
that the ships laid

SWEDEN TURKEY.

67

programme of new construction, and thus ensure down will be completed in a reasonable time. The

Espana and her two sister ships are of 15,460 tons displacement; speed, 19i knots; armament, eight 12-in. guns and twenty 4-in, These ships appear to be of a very suitable type for a navy guns. such as that of Spain. They would be improved if they carried a
secondary battery of 6-in. guns.

The Alfonso XIII.

is

making good
has been laid

progress at Ferrol, and the third of the class, Jaime

I.,

the berth vacated by the Espaiia. The gunboat Eecalde has been launched at Cartagena, where two Displacement^ others of the same type are under construction. 800 tons. Armament, four 3-in. guns. It is difficult to comprehend

down on

the purpose of building vessels of this kind.

The guns, mounting and armour

Spain.

for the ship

under construction

are supplied from England, the rest of the material is being

made

in

Sweden.

made for the construction of an armoured and 22 knots speed, mounting four 11-in. and eight 6-in. guns, and having two torpedo tubes. Action has been suspended till a Parliamentary Committee appointed to inquire into the whole question of national defence has reported. The submersible Hvalen, of 180 tons displacement, has been completed by F.I.A.T. San Giorgio Company at Muggiano, Spezia. She made the voyage to Sweden without escort, and covered the 790 miles from Spezia to Cartagena without stopping. Three boats of similar type are under construction at Muggiano for the Brazilian Navy,
proposal had been
vessel of

6800

tons,

Turkey.

The building up
purchase of two old

of the Turkish

Navy was commenced by

the

Brandenburg class. The value of sea-power has been brought home during the war with Italy, and orders have now been placed with Messrs. Armstrong and Messrs. Vickers for the construction of two powerful battleships, the IJeshad-i-Hamiss and Eeshad V., the first of which has already been laid down at Barrow. Length, 525 ft. beam, 91 ft. displacement, 23,000 tons. The main armament will consist of ten 135-in. guns mounted in five turrets on the centre line. Sixteen 6-in. guns are mounted in an upper deck battery protected by 5-in. armour. The hull is protected by a water-line belt 12 in. thick amidships,
battleships of the
;
;

German

tapering to 6

in.

at

the ends.

Between the upper edge

F 2

of the

68
belt

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

and the main deck there is a strake of 9-in. armour, and between the main and upper decks a strake of 8-in. armour extending
from the second to the fourth turret. The designed speed is 21 knots, with 31,000 H.P. They will be fitted with Parsons turbines. Seven gunboats (510-420 tons) have been built in France, three Chantiers et Ateliers de la Loire and four by the Forges the by
et Chantiers de la Mediterranee.

Owing

to its powerlessness to take effective action, the

Turkish
larger

Navy has played an

inconsiderable part in the war.

The

Golden Horn, but some torpedo boats have been destroyed and the old cruiser Avn-Illah and another vessel were sunk by gun-fire at Beyrout. Hythe. John Leyland.
vessels have been kept in the

69

CHAPTER

IV.

OOMPAEATIVE STRENGTH,

The outstanding features of the year are the growth and increase the programme of the German Navy and the great improvement
already resulted in a

in
in

the administration of the Navies of France and Eussia, which have

much more

rapid execution of the shipbuilding

programme and
an even greater

in a great increase in naval strength, and will have

effect in the future.

France and Russia will again

become important Naval Powers.

For the British Navy four battleships have been completed, three
battleships

and four cruiser-battleships

(including the

Australia)

launched.

For tlie German Navy three battleships and one cruiserbattleship have been completed and three battleships launched.*
France has completed six battleships and launched two, while Russia
has completed three battleships and launched four.

For Italy there

have been launched three battleships, while her nominal ally Austria has launched one. Japan has launched only one battleship, but is
entering on a
four

new

period of shipbuilding activity, one battleship and

cruiser-battleships

having been laid down.

The three more

and Chile

important South American Republics

Argentina,

Brazil,

are all building battleships of the largest size.

Turkey, which has

had a severe lesson on the value of sea-power in her war with Italy over Tripoli, has ordered two powerful battleships. From the above summary it is evident that France has made the greatest progress of any Power in naval strength during the past year. The Lists of Ships in Commission in European Waters have this
year been divided into two categories.
the Fourth Division of the

In the table on page 71

Ships in *'"^^^" sion.

are given the Fleets in commission in Northern Europe, excluding

Home

Fleet.

From

the figures given for

British protected cruisers are excluded the sixteen third-class cruisers

and scouts attached to the destroyer flotillas. The first, second, third, fourth and fifth flotillas each comprise three third-class cruisers
or scouts, besides a depot ship.

The seventh

flotilla,

which consists of
flotillas varies

only seven destroyers, whereas the number of the other

from twenty-nine

to twenty-five, has one.

In another table are given

The Russian ships have been added to the former, those of Austria and Italy to the latter. Apart from the substitution of recently completed sliips for older
the Ships in Commis.sion in the Mediterranean.
vessels, there is
little

change in British and German Fleets in

full

commission.

The

First Division of the

Home

Fleet and the First

30tb, 1912.

CruiBer-battleship Seydlitz (ex J) was launched

March

70

l^fifi

NAVAL ANNUAL.

Squadron of the German High Sea Fleet (with one exception) now
consist of the all-big-gun type.
Britain.

The Hercules,

Colossus, Orion, Monarch, and

five

Agamemnon have
will

taken the place of

King Edwards
The

in the Second Division of the

Home

Fleet.

By the end of the year the remaining King Edwards

battle-cruiser Lion

be replaced by more modern ships.

ordered to China.

will shortly

join the First Cruiser Squadron in place of the Defence,

which is Squadron will then be entirely composed of battle-cruisers. The Indomitable has been transferred to the Second Squadron in place of the Shannon, which takes the place of the Bacchante in the Fifth Squadron. The Third Division of the Home Fleet comprises nine* battleships (five King Edwards, the Irresistible, and three Majesties) as compared with eleven battleships last year, five armoured cruisers, four second-class cruisers, one third-class cruiser, and five torpedo gunboats, besides the cruisers and scouts attached to the Destroyer Flotillas. Forty-eight submarines organised in five sections are in commission with the Third Division of the Home Fleet. The Fourth Division of the Home Fleet comprises eleven battleships (five Albions, five Majesties, and one Eoyal Sovereign), and nineteen cruisers, of which nine are of the first class. These ships can hardly be considered as ready for immediate service as the German reserve ships and have therefore not been included in the The last Eoyal Sovereign must shortly disappear from the tables. The Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets each include the same list.

The

First Cruiser

six battleships as last year,

Ger-

The
or

First Sc^uadron of tlie

German High Sea

Fleet

is,

with the

^^^y-

exception of the Elsass, composed of battleships carrying twelve 11-in.

guns as their main armament. The Second Squadron Deutschlands and Braunschweigs the Wittelsbachs, which have a main armament of 9 4-in. guns, having been transferred The-Deutschland has become the flagto the Eeserve Squadron.
12-in.

consists

of

ship

of the

Fleet.

Attached

to

the

High

Sea

Fleet

are

two

Cruiser Squadrons, which include two cruiser-battleships, an armoured

cruiser

and

five

small cruisers.

The Eeserve Squadron has been

increased from six battleships to eight, of which four Wittelsbachs

form the North Sea Division and four Kaisers form the Baltic Division.
France.

The French Fleet in Commission has been immensely strengthened by the completion of the six battleships of the Danton class. The Fleet is to be mainly concentrated in the Mediterranean and organised in three squadrons, to each of which a Cruiser Squadron In the First consisting of three armoured cruisers is attached.
*

Eleven

if

the gunnery ships Majestic and Vengeance be included.

71

<

(-1 -Jl

72

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Squadron there are six Dantons, and in the Second Squadron there are five Patries and the Suftren, which has taken the place of the ill-fated Liberte. The Third Squadron, which is to be attached to Brest, is composed of the six older battleships which last year formed the Second Active Squadron. In addition to the destroyers attached to the three Squadrons three Destroyer Divisions have been created, based on Oran, Ajaccio and Cherbourg.
Bussia.

Eussia has four battleships (including the two Imperator Pavel class
just completed)

and four armoured

cruisers in the Baltic Fleet,

and

four battleships in the Black Sea.

When

the four Ganguts, launched

Italy.

become a serious power in Northern Europe. The Italian Fleet in commission has been increased from six to eight battleships. The First Squadron comprises the four battleships of the Eegina Elena class, and three armoured cruisers of the Pisa type. The fourth ship of the class, the San Giorgio, is under repair at Naples. The Second Squadron is composed of two Benedetto Brins and two St. Bons, with three armoured cruisers of the Garibaldi type and the old Marco Polo. A torpedo flotilla has been constituted of twenty-two destroyers and twenty-eight torpedo-boats, to which the armoured cruiser Vettor Pisani and five third-class cruisers are attached. The Dante Alighieri will probably take the place of one of the Eegina Elenas in the First Squadron in May or June. The Italian Fleet is, as a rule, only in full commission
in 1911, are completed, the Eussian Baltic Fleet will factor in the balance of naval
for six or seven

months.

Austria.

Austria has three battleships of 14,600 tons displacement in full

commission, and three smaller battleships in reserve.

The Austrian

Navy is still somewhat inferior to

Situation in

that of Italy, and as the latter has got

is

the start in the construction of big battleships

likely to remain so.

Northern Europe.

war maintained commission by the Naval Powers of Europe, we may now consider whether the strength of the various British squadrons is sufficient to
stated the
of ships available for
in

Having

number

meet any reasonably probable eventuality. The enormous expansion of German naval power during the past ten years, the evident determination of the German people to build up a navy which will seriously threaten the supremacy which we have for so long enjoyed at sea, and the fact that during the past year, owing to the support given to France on the Morocco question, the British and German nations were on the brink of war, compels us to consider this question mainly in relation to Germany. The first two divisions of the Home Fleet, which are practically always in full commission, are equal in numbers to the two squadrons of the German High Sea Fleet. The first division of the Home Fleet and the First Squadron of

SHIPS IN COMMISSION.
the

73

German

Fleet, with

battleships, and, so far as ships are concerned,

one exception, are composed of all-big-gun may be taken to be equal

The second division of the Home Fleet is, however, far more powerful than the Second Squadron of the German Fleet. The former includes the battleships most recently completed for the British Navy, and every ship in it is individually superior to any ship in the
in strength.

The third or reserve division of the Home Fleet is superior in numbers and in power, ship for ship, to the German Eeserve Squadron, which includes only battleships having the 9-4-in. gun for their main armament. The Germans have little to set against

German Second Squadron.

the

older battleships
Fleet,

in

the
is

fourth division

of

the

Home

Fleet.

The Atlantic

which

available for reinforcing our fleets in

the Mediterranean or in the waters

of Northern Europe, is not a at least as powerful battleships composed of very strong fleet, but is France and Kussia Squadron. as the ships of the Second German have thus far been left out of consideration, but in a situation such as that which nearly led to trouble last year Germany would have to reckon with the French Fleet in the Channel, and presumably
also with the Russian Fleet in the Baltic, the latter as yet not a very

important

factor.

The

fleets

maintained by Britain in the waters of

sufflcient to

Northern Europe must on this review be pronounced

meet any reasonable contingency. In the table on page 74 are given the fleets in commission of the The The British Fleet ^ngan'^' principal Naval Powers in Mediterranean waters. now consists of six not very modern battleships. Ten years ago we maintained a powerful fleet of twelve battleships in those waters and an agitation was raised for more. In 1903 the Fleet was increased to fourteen battleships, but has
since been gradually reduced to six, at
last five years.

which
is

figure

it

has stood for the

No modern
now
that the

battleship

included in the Fleet, which

can no longer bear comparison with the French naval force in the
jMediterranean

Dantons have been completed and the

that,

naval strength of France has been concentrated in those waters.

There has been a tendency amongst certain writers to consider

in the event of

war with Germany, we must be prepared to face the combined fleets of the Triple Alliance. Though during the early stages of the war in Tripoli the sensational section of our Press did its Ijest to destroy the cordial feeling which has so long existed in
Italy towards this country, I
still

believe

it

impossible that Italy

a war against and Italian naval

would willingly co-operate with her nominal

Great Britain.
expansion
of
is

allies in

Austria
to the

is

Italy's hereditary foe,

due

growth of the i^ustrian Navy.

The

relations

Germany and

Austria, on the other hand, are very intimate, and

74
it is

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

not unreasonable to suppose that

Austro-German combination.
its

we might have to face an In such a contingency the British

Mediterranean Fleet will certainly not be powerful enough to hold own when the Viribus Unitis and sister ships are completed for the Austrian Navy. Modern battleships must then be added to it. Quite apart from our interests in Egypt, Malta, and Cyprus, the

volume of British trade passing the

Straits

of

Gibraltar

is

too

important to allow the Mediterranean to become a mare clausum to British commerce.

Britain.

France.

Italy.

Austria.

Battleships Cornwallis

1st Squadron. 1st Squadron. Voltaire Dante Alighieri*

1st Squadron. Erz. Franz Ferdinand

Duncan Exmouth
Russell
Swiftsure,

Condorcet

Regina Elena

Radetzky
Zrinyi

Danton
Mirabeau
Diderot Vergniaud

Roma
Napoli

Triumph

2nd Squadron.

Reserve.

Benedetto Brin Erz. Karl 2nd Squadron. Regina Margherita Erz. Friedrich Patrie Filiberto Erz. Ferd. Max R^publique St. Bon D6mocratie
Justice V6rit6 Suffren

Armoured
Cruisers

Good Hope L6on Gambetta Pisa Hampshire Ernest Renan Amalfi Lancaster Edgar Quinet San Marco
Suffolk
Jviles

St.

Georg

Michelet

Garibaldi

Jules Ferry Victor Hugo

Varese Ferrucio

Protected
Cruisers

Destroyers 10

12

22
Probably in June.

The

table below gives the

number

of ships in
:

commission and

reserve for the principal European Navies

SHIPS IN COMMISSION.

75
of the Atlantic.

With

the completion of the

Utah and Florida the strength

United States Atlantic Fleet is brought up to twenty-one battleships, It is organised in as compared with sixteen battleships last year. with a flagship. each, Fleet This Fleet of ships divisions five four
includes all the completed battleships in Table
I.,

with the exception

of the Maine, but of these only six can be classed as Dreadnoughts.

As
It
is

the

cruiser

squadron comprises only two armoured and two

force.

protected cruisers, the Fleet lacks an important element of efficiency.

none the less a formidable fighting

A combination between
believe, out of the
it is

the United States and

Germany

is,

we hope and

range of practical

politics,

but in such an eventuality

clear that

we are no longer up to the two-Power standard a situation which we have long foretold in the Naval Annual would come about. The fortification of the entrance to the Panama Canal, which, it was
understood,

was

to be

open on equal terms

to the

commerce
to

of all

nations, the claim, quoted in the previous chapter

from the Eeport of

control

the Secretary of the

Navy
which

of the

United

States,

the
the

Caribbean

Sea,

in

we have important

possessions,

endeavours to extend the political influence of the United States in the

South American Republics, where we have interests of long standing,

give some anxiety as to the future.
It is at

any rate clearly desirable

that one of our Cruiser Squadrons, if not the Atlantic Fleet, should

occasionally visit the

West Indies and South America.

The British

Flag

is

not adequately represented in those waters by the rare visit

limits proposed for the Atlantic Station of the

of a small cruiser.

The

Canadian Navy,
of last year,

under the agreement adopted at the Imperial Conference

merit serious attention.
of

The Station

will include the waters north

30 degrees North Latitude, and west of 40 degrees West Longitude

viz.,

not only

Bermuda and Newfoundland, but

the whole Atlantic

coast of the United States, with the exception of Florida

and the Newfoundland has entered a formal protest against being included in this arrangement and the volume of trade of the Mother Country with the United States is so vast that it is doubtful
Gulf of Mexico.
;

whether she

is

justified

in handing over the responsibility for its

protection to other hands.

Bermuda

is

valuable as a base for the

protection of this trade, and should remain in British hands, at any

rate for the present.
is

When

the organisation of the British

perfected, and we are moving gradually in this Dominion Government will, it is safe to predict, make the
tions

Empire direction, no
reserva-

of Sir

Wilfred Laurier as to placing

at the

case of

war

common
or

service.
it.

stand

in

the

Empire

outside

Naval forces in Our Oversea Dominions must War with any part must
its

76

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

attitude of the present Canadian
is

mean war with

the whole. The Government on Imperial defence

more reassuring than that of

their predecessors.
Cape.

The Cape Squadron comprises, as last year, one second-class and two third-class cruisers. A powerful cruiser is needed on this important station. The Glasgow, which is attached to the Atlantic Fleet, shows the Flag on the West Coast of Africa and in South
America.

Eastern
waters.

The Japanese Fleet in commission comprises four battleships as compared with six last year, and five armoured cruisers as compared with two. It is organised in two squadrons, as follows
:

1st

Sqiiadron.

Battleships

Satsuma
Cruisers
:
:

(flagship),

Asahi,

Kashima, Hizen.

Armoured
Cruisers

Tsukuba, Ibuki.

2nd Squadron.
Kasuga.

Armoured
list

Cruisers
:

Kurama,

Msshin,

Protected

Tone, Idzumi, Tsushima,

Akitsushima.

The following
torpedo-craft,

is

of the squadrons, excluding gunboats

and

kept in commission by the other principal Naval

:

Powers in Eastern waters

KEORGANISATION OF THE FLEET.

will

77

become the

flagship of the

China

unit.

The Australia and the

on the
is

three second-class cruisers, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane, of the

Eoyal Australian Navy, with H.M. ships

form the Australian unit.

still

station, will

third battle-cruiser

probably to be

the flagship of the East Indian unit.

THE REORGANISATION OF THE FLEET.

This chapter was already in print
the

Navy Estimates
to

in the

House
in

of

when the First Lord introduced Commons, and described the

The ships
available for

proposed reorganisation of the Fleet.

defence are
squadrons.

Home

be

organised

three
is

fleets

Each

battle-squadron

to

and eight battlebe composed of eight

battleships, with their attendant cruiser-squadrons, torpedo flotillas,

and

all auxiliaries.

and Second Divisions of the

The First become the First and Home Fleet Second Battle Squadrons. The Atlantic Fleet, based on Home ports instead of Gibraltar, and brought up during the year from six to eight and the Mediterranean battleships, will become the Third Squadron Fleet, based on Gibraltar, ultimately raised to a strength of eight
The First Fleet
will consist of four battle squadrons.
;

battleships (as has already been suggested will be necessary

when

the Austrian

battleships are completed), will

become the Fourth

is

Squadron.
as
is

To these four squadrons a Fleet

flagship

to be added,

the case in Germany, so that the Commander-in-Chief will not

also

command

a squadron, as has been the practice hitherto in the

organisation of the

Home

Fleet.

The Second Fleet

will be

composed

of

two squadrons, consisting

of the ships in the existing Third Division of the

of its squadrons will always be present in

Home Fleet. One a Home port and ready to

move
the

The other will usually be in The Third Division of the Home Fleet now comprises only eleven battleships. The Second Fleet will not for some years be brought up to the contemplated strength of sixteen
"

as soon as steam can be raised."

condition.

same

battleships.

Ultimately, the First and Second Fleets will

be composed of

forty-nine battleships, available'at the shortest notice and completely

manned by the active service ratings of the Navy. The Third Fleet will be composed of the ships now
Division of the
of this fleet

in the

Fourth
section

Home

Fleet.

It is in order that at least

one squadron

may

be available at short notice that the

new
in

of the Fleet Reserve, referred to in a

created.

previous chapter,

is

to be

The Fourth Division

scale

of

manning

will

future

78

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Squadron, for whicli
it
it

only apply to the Eighth Battle

is

not
fit

proposed to provide
to

full

crews until

includes ships which are

send to

sea.

The proposed reorganisation of the Fleet, of which the above account is summarised from the speech of the First Lord on March 18th, implies a still further concentration of the fighting force of the Navy in Home waters and if the intention of the Admiralty is carried into effect, it means that the British N"avy will be maintained in a better state of preparedness for war than it has ever been. It is to be hoped that the Fleet will not be kept tied to Home waters throughout the year, which cannot conduce to efficiency, and that squadrons will from time to time be sent on
;

cruises

to

the coast of Spain or elsewhere.

There

is

a sufficient
to enable

margin of strength over the German Fleet in commission

this to

be done, for the reasons given in a previous paragraph.

By

the end of the current financial year five additional Dreadnoughts

will be completed for the British

Navy, while

it is

only in the spring

Battle Fleet
vvdll

of this year that the First Squadron of the

German

be composed entirely of Dreadnoughts.

The

shifting of the base of the Fourth or Mediterranean

is

Squadron

Malta to Gibraltar does not, it imply a withdrawal from the Mediterranean. If it

of the First Fleet from

to be hoped,

does, it is the of

most questionable feature in the scheme.

tration

The policy
to

concen-

may

be carried too

far.

The table below has been prepared

proposed organisation of the British and

show the present and

Fleets,

German

and the

possible advance towards realisation a year hence.

COMPARATIVE TABLES.
realised.

79
will be available for

The Agamemnon and Lord Nelson

bringing up the strength of the Third or Atlantic Squadron to eight

battleships.

The First Squadron of the Second Fleet may be composed entirely of the King Edward class. Two Formidables and one Duncan class will be available for the Second Squadron of this Fleet. Six Canopus class, and nine IVIajestics, which are as
powerful as the ships in the
to Thii'd Fleet.

German Eeserve Squadron,

will be left

complete the Second Squadron of the Second Fleet or to form the

By March,

1913,

four

additional

battleships,

including

the

Oldenburg, should be completed for Germany. The First Squadron and half the Second Squadron may then be composed of Dreadnoughts and four battleships of the Deutschland or Braunschweig classes will become available for the Third Squadron.
;

COMPAEATIVE TABLES.
Few
year.

changes have been made in the Comparative Tables

this

as

The German Wittelsbach class, which carry only 9*4 in. guns theii" main armament, have been transferred from Table I. to
I LI.

Table

No

battleships, with the exception of the ill-fated Liberie,

lists.

disappear from the

cruisers, built

In the cruiser

tables, the later

German

and building, have been placed in the second-class. In displacement and armament they are the equivalents of the Bristol Eleven of the small French third-class cruisers, which were class.
indicated last year as probably to be condemned as ineffective, have

been struck

off the lists.

The present position

in the following table.

as regards battleships of all classes is

shown

Battle^^^P^-

Only the battleships which

are believed to

^^^

be completed by March 31st, 1912, are reckoned as built.

The

and will probably be completed in May, the German Oldenburg and the Japanese Kawachi and Settsu, which it has been reported will be completed in April, are shown as building. Ships (viz., the German Ersatz Brandenburg, and the French A 5, 6 and 7) which will probably be laid down early in the year 1912-13 are included as
trials,

Thunderer and Lion, which have been tlirough their

building.

80
construction

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

than Germany alone.

France and Russia have much

improved their position since last year,

sixteen and seven battleships completed.

when they had respectively They have now twenty-one

and ten completed, but while in numbers the Franco-Russian Fleet is equal to that of Germany, only two of the Russian battleships are fit to lie in a line with Dreadnoughts, and six battleships are now
confined to the Black Sea.
IModern
battleships.

In the following table

the

is

given a forecast of the relative positions

of the principal navies at the

end of 1912 and two following years

viz.,

comparison being conflned to modern battleships,

I.

those

included in Table

Cruiserbattleships.

Dreadnoughts,

FORECASTS FOR THE FUTURE.

81

11-iu. calibre or over has put all the older ships out of the reckoning.

this view has never been accepted in these pages, the accompanying table has been prepared to show the number of Dreadnoughts and ships fit to lie in a line with them which will be comIt has pleted on March 31st, 1912, and the three following years.

Though

been assumed that the four armoured ships to be laid

down

in

1912-13

for the British

Navy

will be battleships.

82
f,Teat

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

improvement which
will

take place in the position of France

and Kussia after 1913. In l'.>14 the Franco-Paissian Alliance will have fourteen all-big-gun battleships. Germany alone will have In 1915 the Francothirteen, and the Triple Alliance nineteen. France and Paissia will liussian position will still further improve.
have nineteen ships,
twenty-six.

Germany

sixteen,

and the Triple Alliance

In the cruiser classes we have a large superiority, but hardly so

great as
is

required for the protection

of

the

enormous

interests

In this class 9, France and the United States each 15. cruisers, second-class well. Of stand France and the United States and of France and 11 built and building, we have 42, Germany 14, striking after 10 the third-class we have 34, Germany 30, and France
;

we Germany

have at stake on the sea.

Of

first-class cruisers

we have

41,

we do not stand well. Most of the German third-class cruisers are more modern and faster than ours, but they carry a very poor armament, and could hardly fight the Naval
off ineffective ships.

In

this class

For the protection of Defence Act cruisers of the Latona class. commerce more second-class cruisers are required. The British programme of new construction for 1912-13 comprises four armoured ships. This programme may be regarded
as adequate provided that

we maintain our

present advantage over

two and that there is no acceleration in the German rate. The supplementary programme proposed for the German Navy will not

Germany
years,

in rapidity of construction, completing our ships in

affect tlie figures of

completed battleships in the forecasts given above.

The survey of comparative strength made in the foregoing pages

leads to the conclusion that the position,
in

whether as regards Fleets

is

commission or programmes of construction,

not unsatisfactory

The German menace has been The only serious frankly and squarely met by the First Lord. criticism which the present writer would venture to make is that the
from the British point of view.
policy of concentration
in every sea,

may

be carried too

far.

We have

possessions

and we

still

possess nearly half the mercantile tonnage

of the world.

Hythe.

COMPARATIVE TABLES.
^aam

83

.*i
.'I

a a a
"=^3

1-2

-^

5) g a

a"

..::

-3

Kani^;

^
p.tqjiinB'i

laam

?<.
e
=
-

-=-

5 :-

a J

_=i

>
?.

S.-

^2

u =

-^

p -a O M >

flj

II ^
t, =*

paipanB^
"jaatn

__ ^ ^
,

_i r^

o; c: Oi

o X n

-^

to CO CO

- O ^ O ^

^o o
I

-l
I

o;

OS

-Mtidsia

pAqoaar^

84

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Pi

CO

Q
(^

I-:;

COMPARATIVE TABLES.
)usra
I

85

-eov[d9|(j

g 2 a c 3
<1

J2
;

;2 M 3
I

pajdg
jiora

<N

OO

-wvidsiQ

fwJs

3_

fq rt rt

OO
N o

Cl

o o

to

-aoBlds!(j

,5
H=

2 E

S 3 a

a a

=5

S
.2

paads

l9dg

2n
S

CI

c<c^?iNc^rciMc^riO*r^r^

-*>idsKi

S5
3SoC-^3x3>3^5t;--5;S.

5^

-paodg
jnaui
3JV|ds|(J

^ri-S'S

So
.^ o
.

:^.9a < i s

-psadfj

S'S i " = 3 E

^^oosA

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:TTTTTTTTTTTTTT1
'

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islihiljl
pad3

'-^I^S 'illJ^ 'a ?|!.''^lv^ il||i is! pipi|l|l|l|?||illll

i

86

THE NAVAL ANNUAL,

-pasds

O e O A SN 5 ^ ^ O CO CO O CO Sw
F-1
;

2
1
<:

S ^ _, gi 1 1 a I 5 (S M o o
-.
-i^
:

paods

^aooocoeoeoeoeo ^ M d
I

c^

^uam
-3oidsi(i

o cs o o ^ o o
Tj

lO

(o"

;0

5 J 2 N 6 M
i^
te>
-

TO

H
U5 CO
C-I

paads

-^

O W M M CI M
C*
-<

lO C^ 0>

lA -"

00 O^ 00

t-

I-

SDBlds!(J

COMPARATIVE TABLES.

87

88

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

H
I

COMPARATIVE TABLES.

89

90

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Total Naval Expenditure.
Great Britain.

Germany.

United States.

France.

Japan.

Kussia.

Italy.

1903 35,709,477 10,401,174 16,824,058 12,292,227 3,611,786 12,349,567 4,840,000

1904 36,859,681 10,102,740 20,180,310 12,382,433 2,061,322 11,949,906 5,000,000

1905 38,151,841 11,301,370 24,444,948 12,667,856:2,341,194 12,392,684 5,040,000 1906 31,472,087 12,005,871 21,358,199 12,245,7406,187,667112,490,444;5,322,154
1907 31,251,156 14,225,000 21,260,732 12,486,793 7,227,2321 8,850,240j5,661,822

1908 32,181,309 16,490,000 26,438,434 12,797,308'8,094,88410,222,733'6,266,193 1909 35,831,800 19,702,685 28,990,592 13,353,8247,202,823' 9,895,641 6,537,118 1910 40,603,700 21,235,090 27,001,866 15,023,019 7,608,081 9,723,5747,458,4261
1911 44,392,500 21,095,932 25,989,498 16 654 621 8,861,829t 11 502 306 7 808 608 1912 44,085,400 22,008,746 25,944,798 16, 931,14919, 461, 817|l7,447,950*j8, 675, 444
,
, ,
,

Excludes Supplementary Estimate

t

for

Black Sea.

Includes Supplementary Estimate.

Amount Voted for New Construction.

The Actual Expenditure
Great Britain.

for

Great Britain

is

shown

in Italics.

Germany.

U. States.

France.

Japan.

Russia.

Italy.

1903 11, 473,030 (12, 398,133) 1904 13, 508,176 {13, 184,419) 1905 11, 291,002 {11, 368,744) 1906 10, 859,500 {10, 486,397) 1907 9, 227,000 (8. 849,589) 1908 8, 660,202 (8, 521,930) 1909 11, 227,194* {11, 052,318) 1910 13, 279,830
1911 15,068,877

4,388,748 5,327,367 4,528,621 4,275,489 6,611,909 4,370,102

4,720,206 8,683,000 4,705,295 5,167,319 6,776,086 4,652,010

,3,268,755 1,183,338

4,480,188 '1,121,753 4,576,370 1,714,556

752,595 4,576,583 1,362,207

5,910,959 4,872,888 4,138,967 3,233,298 2,846,268 1,398,111

7,795,499 6,227,874 4 193

, ,

544J2
,
,

967 918 2 703 721 1,866,358

, ,
,

10,177,062 7,976,897 4 517 766 2 345 572 1 758 487 2,190,707

, ,
,

11,392,856 6,889,005 4,977,682 2,692,2601,424,013 |2,181,200t

12,250,269 5,343,782 5,767,537 2,977,4934,609,444 12,277,302$

11,787,565 4,998,140 5,275,146

1912 13,971,527

7, 616, 85012,400, 000 J

* t X

Includes Supplementary Estimate, G89,100.

Not including 1,221,875

for Black Sea. Should be increased by sum available under

Law

of 1911.

91

CHAPTEK
Machinery Problems
The problems
machinery
for

V.

in

High-Powered Warships.

to

be solved by the designer and constructor of

difficulty,

warships have increased in

while their

become more imperative, by the demand for higher A few years ago speeds in ships together with great fighting force.
solution has

the strategist and tactician considered 1 9 knots a sufficiently high rate

of speed for ships of the line.

Now

they ask for 27 or 28 knots,

and more, for ships with the same, or much greater, power of attack, and with almost the same thickness, and equal extent, of armour protection. Such battle-cruisers require so much power to drive them at the high speeds desired that the weight of their propelling weight of will soon, reach 5600 tons. In other words, battlemachinery ^ may now, or cruisers one-fifth of the total displacement is taken up with machinery, machinAlthough this proportion is only equal to that usually allowed for ^^^' armaments, the artillerist is jealous of the increase, and, as ever, seeks to impose limitations to the weight of machinery while still exacting the high speed. In Germany and some other continental countries the combatant officers have been more successful than in
-^
. . .

this

country in the enforcement of reduced weights for propelling

;

machinery

and

it

is

pertinent to inquire whether

the

result

is

altogether satisfactory, and to

what extent the compliance with such

it

demands

is

As

a first

commendable for British ships. and indisputable proposition

In Britain reliability
If

may

be said that naval

high-speed

^9^}-

engine designers are always anxious to economise in weight and to speed

attain efficiency.
in

prolonged
to be

^^^'ttle"

steaming has been recognised as of primary, and economy and weight

as of secondary, importance.

cruisers.

advance

is

made

a certain

measure of risk must be taken, and in naval engineering it is taken. Courage reaps its reward when all goes right, but no excuse is made for failure. When ships go into action the continuous maintenance
of a speed of even only a mile per liour faster than that of the

enemy
for

may mean
deductions

everything.
test,

Thus high-speed
nor are
their

trials of shoi-t

duration are
bases

not the truest

results

trustworthy

when

the ship does not carry her service load.

Both these

conditions obtained

when

the

German

cruiser

Moltke attained her

92

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

much

advertised rate of 29^ knots. Her measured mile trials gave a speed of 28-4 knots, with her turbines making 325 revolutions and

developing about 86,000 shaft-horse-power, while on a separate six

hours' trial at full power the speed
of 76,680 shaft-horse-power.

was 27 25 knots, with an average The Von der Tann, about which also misstatements have been made, got 27*63 knots for 71,500 shafthorse-power. The "log" speed of 31^ knots credited by the Press
*

Choice of types of
boilers.

the Lion is probably as much above the actual rate got on measured mile trials as the Moltke's 29^ knots exceeded her 28*4 knots. British trial conditions are certainly severe and are directed to test reliability rather than to conduce to the realisation of very high speeds for short periods of time. In considering, in the light of practice in various countries, whether a happy mean has been struck in the present day solution
to

some of the machinery problems, the boilers call for first attention. up to within a year or so, has been influenced by the limitation imposed upon the rate of fuel combustion per foot of heating surface, in order to ensure greater durability and the maintenance of high speed for long periods, and further by the aim to get high economy at cruising speeds. The German engineer, on the other hand, primarily considers how much fuel can be burned for the minimum of weight, without burning the boilers, the amount of steam available being the determining factor as to the power developed in the turbines, and as to the speed realised by the ship.
of

British practice,

This leads to the consideration of the question whether the large-

tube or the small-tube boiler should be

the latter and the British the former.

fitted,

the

Germans adopting
at
all

Non-technical authorities

and many such influence decisions on technical questions

Admiralties

seemed,
changing.

in the early stages of the water-tube boiler, to

believe that large tubes were suited for large ships and small tubes
for small ships, alliteration evidently

having been a guiding influence.

This view

is

It is not easy to understand

why

a boiler

with small tubes should not work as well in a big ship as in a small
ship.
size or the type of the ship in
Largetube
versus small-

The Eussians have a saying that the boiler does not know the which it is embarking.
clear to the lay reader,
it

To make the arguments quite

be said that in
accurate
to

should

large-tube boilers

perhaps

it

would
as

be more

say horizontal

tube

boilers

tube
boilers.

such

the

Babcock

&
in

Wilcox, Belleville, Niclausse, Miyabara, and others, the tubes,

horizontal,

which steam is generated, are more or less approximately and range from If in. up to 4 in. in outside diameter, the fire grate being placed under them. The small-tube or "Express" boiler, of which the Thornycroft, Yarrow, JSTormand

TYPES OF BOILERS FOR BATTLE-CRUISERS.

93

and Schultz types are the best known, is triangular in section, with water drums at the ends of the base line and a steam drum generating tubes, extending from the at the apex, the steam bottom to the top drums, varying as a rule from 1 in. to 1^ in. M'ith tlie lire grate between the water in external diameter, drums. The Yarrow boiler is, however, made also with Ij-in. as suitable for big tubes, and is then regarded in all navies The small-tube boiler weighs less per square foot of Weight, ships. heating surface, which is the determining factor in the generation of steam in the small-tube boiler the weight is 141b. to 151b. and in the other 231b. to 241b., including boilers, water and fittings. boiler in their Thus in adopting the small-tube "Express" battle-cruisers, the Germans probably save quite 450 tons on the German cruisers' trials are run with an air Rate of boiler weights. pressure in the stokehold of quite 3 in., and under those consumpconditions the boilers burn 601b. of coal per square foot of grate In British practice the air pressure is seldom over 1 in. per hour. and the rate of combustion rarely reaches 501b. with If-in. tube boilers and 301b. to 351b. with the combined If-in. and 4-in. tube boilers. The former has more heating surface relative to grate area than the latter, and thus the coal consumption is 851b. and 91b.
;

respectively per square foot of heating surface.

With

greater ex-

perience there

is

now

less

tendency in Britain to limit the rate of

less

consumption per square foot of heating surface. that the small-tube boiler It is contended
but this
is

is

durable, Dura^ ^

largely

a matter of care in management.

Durability

^'

in

depends greatly upon the keeping of the surfaces cleaned, which turn depends upon the facility afforded for examination. There should therefore be ready access to the interior of the tubes
for inspection

and cleaning.
as
to

The experienced engineer can

merits
of

arrive

at

conclusion

applying this general standard.

there
is

by There are those who consider that greater tendency to priming in the small-tube boiler should
respective

the

the

types

the water

become

slightly "salted,''
to salt

owing

to

condenser troubles, to
to

priming of evaporators, or
tanks.
difficult

water getting into the reserve

liable

These contingencies are more

occur,

and more

to rectify, in a large installation

than in a small one

for

instance, in destroyers or small cruisers.

The

larger diameter tubes

in. in

are of thicker metal

l|-in.

];

in. in

the case of 4-in. tubes, against I

But strength does not depend altogether on thickness of metal. The metal of the tubes of the boiler of the famous Turbinia was only T^g-in. thick, and no boiler has ever had to stand tlie degree of pressing to whicli it was
and
Ij-in. tubes.

94
subjected,

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

and yet the tubes were not seriously
of
affected.

It

should

be stated, however, that the high-pressure runs were

short

for relatively

periods

time.

Indeed,

it

is

easier to overheat a thick

metal than a thin one; although

small, thin tube
to

if

corrosion

be

permitted,

the

must

suffer

sooner.

That

is

a matter for care

ensure that

when emptied
Again,
to

the

tubes are dry.

The greater
the
less

angle of inclination of the tubes in the small-tube boiler conduces

to
Safety.

this

dryness.
or

the
life

smaller

the

tube

the
ot

destruction

danger
the

should one- burst.

is

The flow
not
the
fall

water out of
case of

opening
tube
that
is

then

so

much
level

less

than in the
so

large

the water

does

quickly and longer time

the
fire

afforded for
serious

drawing or extinguishing

in

order

to

obviate

damage

to

boiler,

through the water

of length
to

level

dropping too low.

to

satisfactory ratio
to

diameter must

however be maintained
ensure
that

give

a
is

flow

of

water

adequate

the
will

interior

surface

covered with water,

otherwise burning
to

ensue.

This

ratio

may
risk,

be 8

ft.

6 in. of length

Ij

in.

outside

diameter without
to

A
it
;

Ij-in.

tube lends
tube,
as
it

itself

more readily

speedy repair
to

than the If-in.

does not require so

much power

expand
Types
of

this is

important in view of confined spaces.

Kefereuce has been

made

to the British

and German practice

foreign higbships.

^^ large fast-stcaming ships.

boiler is

In the former the large-tube type of preferred, the Babcock & Wilcox and Yarrow being used,

The Babcock

& Wilcox

boiler is

now made with

l||-in. diameter

row next the fire, which is of 4 in. diameter tubes while in the Yarrow boiler the tubes are If-in. throughout. In the
tubes, except the

German Navy
adopted.

the

small-tube boiler
are

the

Schultz-Thorny croft
the

is

The
per
sq.

Austrians

applying
per hour,

Yarrow

type

with

l|-in. tubes, using 3 in. of air pressure

of

coal

ft.

of

grate

and burning 501b. to 601b. and lib. per sq. ft. of

fit

heating surface.
in
large
of

The French
on normal
ft.

authorities
full -power

the

Belleville

boiler
to

ships
coal

trials

they burn up

261b.

per sq.

of grate

per hour,

but

they
the

have a

supplementary

trial of three hours'

duration

when

full

power

must be maintained with only three-fourths

of the boilers in use.

On
per

this trial they

burn 351b, of coal per square foot of grate area

per

The surface. and these in their new 23,000 ton battleships, recently launched, will consume 381b. per square foot of grate per hour on a twelve hours' trial at 32,000 shaft-horse-power, but on a four hours' run at 42,000 shafthorse-power, to give 23 knots speed, when coal and oil will be
hour, or

l-151b.

square

foot

of

heating

Eussian Navy has adopted Yarrow type

boilers,

PRESSma NAVY
used, the rate of fuel consumption
of grate, or

BOILERS.
to

95

is

be

501b. per square foot

91b. per

square foot of heating surface per hour.

ships
;

The

Italian authorities use small-tube boilers in large

the San

Giorgio
hour.

burned about 501b. of coal per square foot of grate per

The Japanese
are, as

authorities in their large cruisers building in

in

Japan
the

stated

Engineer Eear- Admiral

Fujii's

paper at

the Institution of Naval Architects, using a boiler very similar to

large

Yarrow type but with slightly curved tubes. cruisers with Miyabara boilers they burn
is

In their existing
441b. of
coal per

square foot of grate per hour.

boiler
foot

In the United States the large-tube

used with a combustion of about 401b. of coal per square

of grate per hour with 1 in. of air pressure.

It will be noted that it is the

custom

to

consume a

larger

amount of Working
.

boilers

coal per sq.

boiler more,

ft.

of grate in the small (l^j-in.) tube boiler

by pressing the

under
high
pressure.

which is permissible as the limit has not been reached By following this in consumption per sq. ft. of heating surface. practice in German cruisers a saving in weight for a given power is Even large-tube boilers could be pressed more than is the realised. case now. The total amount of coal consumed under high pressure or otherwise is dependent on the size of the grate and on the freedom
of circulation in the tubes.

In large-tube boilers there

is

a greater

proportion of grate to heating surface than in small-tube boilers, in

fires, which, in prolonged highspeed steaming, tends to reduce speed, owing to " loss of steam." The

order to avoid frequent cleaning of the

floor

space occupied

is less

per unit of grate in the case of large-tube

boilers

with tubes approaching the horizontal.

The

side walls are

fire.

vertical

and
or

thin,

all

the

tubes

being over the

In

the

triangular

small-tube boilers there are at the

rising

sides the water

at the

drums with the tubes

from them
fire is

to the

steam drum

apex, so that the width of the

narrowed, or the extent of floor

space occupied increased, by the water drums.

The Germans have

minimised

this

disadvantage by increasing the width of the boiler and

to the

introducing, equidistant from the ends of the base line, a central

water drum, with vertical tubes connecting

steam drum at
In general
diameter
58.

the apex and a grate on each side of the central drum.

practice the ratio of grate to heating surface
is,

in battle-cruisers

with large-tube boilers,

tube boilers,
1

to 35

in triangular moderate
1

to

GO,

and

in small-tube boilers,

to

Two
is

square feet of heating surface should suffice for each horse-power to

be developed in practically each type
small.
;

the difference, in any case,

No

direct disadvantage from the evaporative point of

view
to

follows, therefore,
boiler.

from any restriction of grate in the small-tube

if in

Thus, even

a cruiser or battleship one does not

want

96
force the boiler as

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

much
as in a torpedo-boat,
it is

quite legitimate to

Express
boilers iu

have Experience with the small-tube boiler in the lighter cruiser and
small tubes.
torpedo boat destroyer
is

destroy-

bound

to influence practice.

The small-tube

boiler is universally adopted in destroyers, but there are differences

In the British and French navies either coal or oil is used exclusively; both are not used in combination as in large In the United States and Japanese navies oil is used in conships.
in the fuel used.

junction with coal in the same boilers.

In the German, Austrian and Argentine destroyers some of the boilers are coal-fired only, and these are used when cruising others are oil-fired, for use only when
;

steaming
Oil fuel in boilers.

at full speed.

The cheaper

fuel is thus adopted during the

greater part of the year.

The time
cent,

is fast

approaching when

oil will

be exclusively adopted

for all ships, notwithstanding possible higher cost, estimated at

33 per

when allowance
is

is

made

for the higher evaporative efficiency.

staff

This

compensated

for

by reduced
is

and

less size of ship,

and by

the fact that the oil-fired boiler

boiler.

more

efficient

than the coal-fired

Even

so, this

does not

much

affect the

choice between small tube and large tube boilers.

will be to the advantage of the former.

arguments regarding the Indeed, the change There is no trouble from

coal.

grates choking

up

as

under severe pressing with

The

vessel

speed for a period as long as the fuel lasts, as may continue The average evaporation is fires and tubes do not require cleaning. about 13 lb. of water from and at 212 deg. F. per lb. of oil consumed, There is thus a gain of about against 8 lb, to 8^ lb. per lb. of coal.
at full

Reduction in

weigbt
carried.

that where 1000 tons of fuel

50 per cent, in steam production per unit weight of fuel. This means is carried, the ship using oil will have a
radius of action 50 per cent, greater than one using coal, other things

being equal, or for the same radius the

cent, less in weight.

oil fuel carried

may

be 33 per
speed, the

As such

reduction affects all dimensions and

propelling power and weight of machinery for the

same

decrease in displacement tonnage

is

very

much

greater.
oil, is

This gain, due to the higher heat value of

other well-appreciated
fuel only,

apart from

benefits resulting from the adoption of oil

refill

in being able to

bunkers in the

minimum of time and

with

little expenditure of labour, in storing the oil anywhere suitable, and in avoiding the labour of trimming and of moving coal to a point All these advantages are augmented with accessible to the stokers. increase in speed. In a battle-cruiser burning anything up to 60 tons of coal per hour, much handling is needed as compared with the

the mechanical flow of 40 tons of

coal-

oil

through pipes.

However

the

bunkers

may

be arranged, the use of 1400 tons in 24 hours, or

ADVANTAGES OF

OIL FUEL.

97

even 470 tons iu an eight-hours' spin, calls for much work within the Again, in coaling ship, although there are very great bunkers.
achievements by the ships'
crews, the crew after a fight will need rest,
that it must be remembered and the work of labourers, not

organised and witliout that spirit of rivalry

crews, will fall far short of these performances,

common
oil

to all

ships'

and thus the ship

will

be longer

away from

the fighting line than

is

when

may

be pumped

on board while the ship

at sea.

With

these high-powered vessels,

thousands of tons of fuel must be dealt with on such occasions.

Not only is the weight and space required for oil-fuel boilers reduced by the decrease in heating surface but by the decrease in
the space in front of the boilers, since no
all
fire

Reducgpace
required,

cleaning tools are used,

that

is

necessary being an arrangement roomy enough for drawing

tubes.

Coal and ash handling appliances are not needed, and here also
is

space

saved, while holes in the side of the ship for ash-ejectors

may

be dispensed with.
of fuel storage.

But the greatest economy in space is in respect Where a high rate of coal consumption is desired,

coal bunkers athwartships (or 'tween decks with coaling trunks to the

stokehold) as well as along the sides are necessary, especially in ships

with such broad beams as 92

ft.

With

oil fuel

no bunkers adjacent
oil stored

to the boilers would be required, and the boiler space, including

bunkers, would be 30 to 40 per cent, less were the

bottoms.

between

There would

result a shortening of the ship, a reduction

and a decrease in power and weight of machinery same speed or the saving could be utilised to add to the There may even effectiveness of any or all of the fighting elements. be some saving in weight in the boilers for oil burning. As with the question of large and small tubes in boilers so with Exoil versus coal, there is practical experience upon which to found ^Ith deduction. The mechanical details have been greatly improved, and fuel, no oljstacle presents itself in this connection. The requirements for success, and the means adopted to meet them, may be briefly described. The flash-point of the oil is about 200 deg. F. and its specific gravity
in displacement,
for the
;

oif

88.

No

trouble need therefore arise on the score of inflammability.

effective atomising the oil is heated to

To ensure
150 deg.
sure

from 125 deg.

to

F.,

and

in forcing the fuel through the burner constant pres-

is exerted. The spraying of the oil from the burner is effected by pressure produced by the oil pumps, no steam or air being used the pressure averages about 200 lb. Combustion should commence within an inch or two of the nozzle of the burner. There should be a surrounding volume of air around the base of the burning conical flame to protect the fr<mt boiler casing and the burner tuyeres, and to
;

ensure complete combustion in the furnace.

In triangular boilers of

98
the

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Yarrow
type, equal to

3000 horse-power, the combustion space

ft.

should be about 500 cubic

Small
tube
fired
oil-

This varies with the type of boilers.

difficulty

There thus seems no unsurraountable

tube boiler should not be adopted for

why

the smaller

all ships, as

the same essential

boilers for all ships.

requirements
the

exist, viz., to obtain

the greatest amourit of steam for

is,

minimum

weight.

This remark

of course, subject to such

modifications in the thicknesses of scantlings as the special service

may
Superheated steam.

render desirable, since durability

is

more important
for

in the large

ships than in the small.

For further reduction in the 5600 tons

superheated steam.

machinery of the

high-powered warship there are great possibilities fiom the use of

means an increase in power of 10 per cent, is obtained on the same weight and fuel consumption, or the same power is developed with 10 per cent, less weight and 10 per cent.
this
less

By

consumption.

There

is

also a saving of water of

from 13

to

14

per cent., which means that the condenser, air and circulating and

feed-pumps can be reduced to that extent

in other words, with the

same weight
consumption.

of

machinery an

efficient superheater will

add 1^ miles

per hour to the speed of a 30-knot destroyer with the same fuel

corresponding advantage

is

possible with all ships,

including battle-cruisers.

The advantages

of superheating the steam

were clearly established in the second-class cruiser Bristol, completed in 1910 by Messrs. John Brown & Co., Ltd., Clydebank.*
Necessary
conditions in superheating.

Certain conditions must be fulfilled in superheating steam.

The
;

superheater should, as far as possible, utilise otherwise waste gases

it

and must not involve a In the German cruiser reduction of the water evaporating surface. Dresden one boiler was utilised for superheating, and the economy

must be between the tubes

or in the uptake,

realised in superheating

was

forfeited in the reduced evaporation per

unit of total weight.

Prolonged reduction in the speed of the ship

should be accompanied by a reduction in the

so that the rate of
safficient

number

of boilers in use,

combustion in the boilers alight will always ensure temperature in the uptake, or in s:ich position where the
is

superheater

located, to give the desired degree of superheat.

Some
if

superheaters are bedded

among

the tubes

this is of

advantage

they do not lessen the evaporative efficiency of the adjacent steam generating tubes, or interfere with the cleaning of the external
surfaces of the tubes.

Care, too,

must be exercised

to

prevent

oil

passing over with the feed- water.

With

turbines this possibility has

been minimised
condenser.

but as the auxiliary reciprocating engines require

pass through the
is

piston lubrication, a certain

amount of oil may Even with feed-water filtration there

and

danger, but Mr.

* See Engineering, vol. xc, p. 465,

vol. xci, p. 269.

SUPERHEATED STEAM.

99

Yarrow has introduced a system whereby the feed-water ascends

only a certain number of tubes furthest from
should a deposit of
oil

the

fire,

so

that

occur on these tubes they will be less likely

efficiency.

to give trouble or lose their evaporative

He

proposes

further to develop this idea by fitting feed-water heating tubes with

a separate water-drum or pocket in the uptake on one side of the

steam drum.
cleaned.

Thus such

oil as

passes over in the feed-water will be

deposited in these tubes far removed from the hottest gases, and easily

This should lengthen the

life

of the steam generating

and
that,
ObjecguperIdeating

superheating tubes.

The most

serious objection to superheaters in naval ships

is

and great momentary variations in speed, with correspondinfj in the demands made for steam by the alterations turbines and arrestment in the flow of steam through the superas there are frequent
"^

overcome.

heater, the tubes of the latter

may

get burned.

This objection

is

met

in Mr. Yarrow's

at the side of the

new proposal to fit a superheater in the uptake steam drum opposite to that having the feed-water
damper on the same
side as the superit is

heater, as there is included a

heater, so that

when

shut

down

it closes

the passage of the gases

from the combustion space through the superheater, causing them to flow
only up through the feed-water heater on the other side of the steam

drum.

There

is

a three-fold advantage in this

(1)

There

is

no

likelihood of the superheater tubes becoming overheated

when raising
(2) the

steam or owing

to the flow of

steam through them to the engines being

;

arrested in the case of a sudden stoppage of the engines

steam generated by the tubes on the side of the boiler afiected by the

damper
speed
;

is

lessened temporarily

when
it,

the vessel

is

running at reduced

and

(3) the efficiency of the feed-water heater is raised

by the

increased flow of gases through

with the result that the tempera-

ture of the feed- water becomes higher are better able to

to full

and the steam generating tubes meet the sudden demand made for the acceleration

speed again. Superheating has long been applied in land service, with highly Experi-

satisfactory results, especially since the turbine

was introduced.
its
is

In steam

locomotive practice there has been increasing advocacy of

cation

appli- f"^^''

up

to

270 deg. F.

In marine turbines, there

every prospect

Even with purely reaction turbines there is not the difficulty sometimes supposed. The warship running longest with superheated steam has Parsons reaction turbines the German
of a great development.

cruiser Dresden, completed in

1908

and

in her case no difficulties

have

arisen.

Experience

is

being collated in several ships in the

Xavy, and German, Austrian and United States authorities have the matter under examination.
British

100
Advantages of super-

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

In turbine working advantages accrue from the superheating of the

steam, apart altogether from the economy, without any disadvantage,

heated

steam in
turbines.

provided care

is

exercised in the design of details.

This applies

to the choice of material for nozzles in

impulse turbines, of pipes

and expansion joints in all turbines, to the design of all regulating and manceuvring valves, and to the woi-kmanship generally, and
especially as
is
it

affects

clearances.

In the impulse stages there

is to

obviated any possibility of the cutting action which might be

caused by saturated steam.

a safeguard against priming.
Develop-

Superheating, too,

a certain extent

As

regards the course of development in

turbine design, the

ments

in turbines.

adoption of one or more velocity compounded impulse stages at the

high pressure end, with the remaining stages of reaction or impulse
blading,
is

becoming very general

for the smaller fast ships in our

own and

foreign navies.

The

principles of these systems were fully

p.

described in the Naval An7iual for 1910, p. 129, and 1911,

107.

The combination simplifies the adoption of independent units including high and low pressure turbines on the same shaft, and
thus enables twin-screw propellers, instead of three or four, to be
applied,

where the

total

There

is

the advantage too, especially where

power does not involve more than two shafts. it becomes possible to

increase the diameter of the turbine rotor, that the revolutions of the

propeller

In high-powered ships two independent sets of turbines, each including high and low pressure machines, are still preferred, making four shafts
altogether, with impulse

may

be reduced while maintaining a high blade speed.

and reaction blading

for

for both

ahead and

astern working.

This enables special arrangements to be dispensed

with for cruising.

ships,

Taking

comparison such a case of separate

fitted in the

combination turbines as are being

new French

battle-

and a

set entirely of reaction turbines

with a cruising element

at the high pressure end, at full

and both designed

for a

steam consumption
it is

power of 12

lb.

per shaft-horse-power per hour,

in steam

probable

that the former will

show an advantage
These
the

cent, at half-power, of

13 per cent, at one-fifth

figures,

economy of 2 per power, and of 10 per

to

cent,

at one-tenth power.
cases,

however, will vary in

individual

according to
It

weight

and

other

similar

considerations.

power
equal.

be accepted that at less than one-fourth the impulse-reaction turbine will be 10 per cent, more
other

may

economical than the purely reaction turbine,

things being

The

issue, like so

many

others,

is,

however, complicated by

the question of weight, especially Avhere lightness involves smaller

turbines, as this

means reduced economy.

is

Less, however,

heard

now

of the higher

steam consumption of

TURBINES.
the turbine at low powers.
the lower fractions of
if this is

101

One
is

is

apt to forget that a falling off at Geared

to all systems,

power

common

and

that,

even

slightly greater in the turbine, there are other advantages

which more than compensate for it. But various modifications to ensure higher economy at low powers are being tried. A promising experiment is in the fitting of helical gearing between the highpressure turbine and the shaft carrying the low-pressure turbine. The former can therefore be run at the speed giving maximum
efficiency,

while at the same time the diameter of the turbine

will be less
loss

may

be minimised and the ratio of clearances to blade height reduced.

Thus there
speeds.
It

from leakage, especially at reduced has been established that such mechanical gear involves

For the same reasons it has been fitted between the turbine and propeller, notably in two 20-knot speed steamers for the London and South Western Eailway Co.'s service.
a loss of only 1^ per cent.

In

this case the

aim

is

to

combine high-speed turbines with low-speed

propellers so as to secure a propeller having a ratio of pitch to diameter

giving the highest efficiency.

realised in these vessels.

Most

satisfactory results

have been

Similarly, there are being tried applications of electric machinery Turbines between the turbine or other prime mover and the propeller. Such electric alternative systems of power transmission between turbine and propropeller mechanical and electrical are being tried in colliers now P^ ^ being completed for the United States Navy, and we have promise of

'

exhaustive

tests

and

of

complete

data,

since

the

Washington

authorities are liberal

minded

in their disclosure of information for

the advancement of science.

H.

L.

Cone, .supplies information concerning these systems.

The Engineer-in-Chief, Eear Admiral Both

colliers are

twin-screw vessels of a displacement tonnage,

when

loaded,

of 19,300 tons, to steam 14 knots.

is

200

lb.,

In the Neptune the steam pressure operating Westinghouse-Parsons turbines on each shaft,

running at 1220 revolutions and developing 3600 shaft-horse-power.

The

helical gear reduces this rate of revolution to 135 per minute,

1.

the speed ratio being thus 9 to

So far the arrangement corre-

sponds generally to the I'arsons gear in the Vespasian, where the ratio of speed reduction is 19-9 to 1, and where the two turbines

work through the

been
originally

helical gear on to a single shaft, the vessel having

single-screw steamer. In the Westinghouse system the gear pinions are carried in floating frames supported by oil pistons, with the idea of taking up any irregularities in the gear
a

but Sir Charles Parsons has not thought this necessary witli well
gear.

made

In the other United States collier of exactly the same dimensions,

propeller is

the Jupiter, the speed reduction between turbine and

102
18 to
1.
Ill

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

this case the turbine,

running at 2000 revolutions per

minute, drives an electric generator which delivers current with a

potential of 2300 volts to an induction motor on each of the
shafts.

The

loss of

be 9 per cent,

two power in transmission in this case is expected to as compared with 2 per cent in the Neptune. A third

collier, the Cyclops, now in commission, has reciprocating engines with a coal consumption of 1'5 lb. per I.H.P. per hour, and there

will thus be opportunity for

comparing the

efficiency

from boiler to

propeller of three systems.

Advantages of
electrical

Advocates of electric transmission, notably Mr. H. A. Mavor, Glasgow, admit that (his words are quoted) " where direct drive

propulsiou.

from the turbine

to the propeller is possible, there

in adapting electrical

means

of transmission,

would be no sense and hence I make a

tlie

reservation as to high-speed vessels in advocating

applicability of

the system."

A
is

reduction in efficiency with screw propellers driven

It
is

by turbines

not inevitable.

nevertheless desirable to consider

the possibilities of electric transmission of power in the case of high-

powered warships in the

the past

light of practical experience gained within

Electricity is used in ever-increasing measure on board warships, and were the turbines employed for driving electric generators for propulsion, part of the current produced

twelve months.

by the main generators could be

utilised for

any other purpose

working

for

actuating the various motors in the gun turrets, for running the air-

compressors in connection with torpedo

iiring, for

projectile,

ammunition and boat

anchor gear,
for
bilge,

hoists, for

operating steering gear, capstans,

sanitary,

water service and other pumps and

Electrical
;

ventilating fans, and also for lighting the ship.

mechanism
is

such duties presents no mechanical

adopting

difficulties

applications have

proved the practicability of the system, although there

in
it

hesitancy

owing to the difficulty of discovering the position As all motors are never in use at any one time the of leakage. turbo-generators need not be equal in producing power to the maximum demand, and thus there would be a more uniform " load."
Moreover,

many

generators could be installed in independent units,

at

and the

number running

any one time could be regulated

to suit

the immediate demand, so that each one in operation would be working at the speed which would be most economical alike in

turbine and electric generator.

purposes, including propulsion.
Applications for
electric

There

is

thus

much

to be said in
all

favour of a central electric station producing current for use for

In

cases

of

electrical
;

propulsion

the

turbo -generator
shaft

need

only work in one direction

the motor on the

provides for

propulsion.

ahead and astern motion

the generator, too,

may

run at the high

ELECTRICAL PROPULSION.

103

speed required for turbine efficiency, and the motor at the low speed
essential to propeller efficiency.
fitted,

Mr. Mavor, in the system he has

and

is fitting,

has arranged several circuits and several poles

in his motors, so that there is a

wide range in the power delivered to

Thus, in a

the propeller and consequently in the speed of the ship.

245-ft. canal barge,

where there are three 200-H.r. Diesel engines driving alternating current generators, there are separate windings on the three-phase motor keyed to the one propeller shaft, so that the motor may run at one-third power, two-thirds power, or full power, using respectively one, two or three of the oil-engine electric sets.
This
is

advantageous, as the barge runs at 3 to 4 knots on the canals,

and

merchant vessel, Frieda, for trading between New York and the Gulf of Mexico, has two cylindrical, oil-fired Howden-draught boilers supplying steam at 200-lb. pressure to a turbo-electric generator of 1500 kilowatt
at 8 to 9 knots

on the lakes.

capacity at 3000 revolutions.

This latter supplies 3-phase 50-cycles

motor of 1900 B.H.P., driving one propeller shaft With this system the Frieda, 300 ft. long, is at 84 revolutions. expected to make 12 knots, when carrying 5000 tons of deadweight
current
to

cargo,

on a daily

fuel

consumption equal
first

to

30 tons as compared

with 40 tons
short

for reciprocating

steam engines.
small vessel fitted

Experience with the

circuiting,

shows

that,

with

Experielectrical
P^optil-

damage will not result, that troubles need not arise from water, and that the squirrel-cage system of motor makes a strong construction suited to meet the hard conditions obtaining on
board ship.

As

to multiplicity of

links in the " chain " of transis

mission, electricians

contend that there

less

complication and

fewer individual parts than with reciprocating engines, the turbine

and generator being one part and the motor another.

advantage
is

One more

that as

tlie

turbines can be placed higher in the ship

to the propeller shaft, the
its

than when direct-coupled

of on the top,

condenser can be

placed at a lower level, with

exhaust port at the bottom instead

and among other resultant benefits is the fact that the turbine can be started up in 20 or 30 minutes instead of taking 2^ to 3 hours. To minimise weight the voltage is made 2000, but even then the electric motor of the 12-knot twin-screw United States
collier,

already described,

is

15

ft.

in diameter.

It

remains to be seen

generally

how

the weight of all machinery will be affected in the case

of high-powered ships,

pumps, capstans,

etc.,

and whether electric motors for auxiliaries, would not be heavier than the steam engines
them.

now used
of weight.

for driving

There are

many

items in this (juestion

The problem

of higlier

economy

at

cruising speeds

is

being

104
Cruising
oil

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

way

tackled in one other

by the

adoption of internal combustion

engines
in a destroyer.

engines in a British twin-screw torpedo-boat destroyer for cruising

speeds, turbines being used at high

power only. The oil engines in this installation, which are being fitted by Messrs. Thornycroft, are mounted In the at the forward end of the shafts which carry the turbines.
combination of turbines with internal combustion engines referred the internal combustion engine when driving the shaft at low
is

to,

speeds

also revolving the turbines.

To minimise the

loss of

power

due

to this there

must be a vacuum

in the turbine, and, where the

auxiliaries are electrically or air driven, this involves steam being

maintained and the condenser air and circulating pumps, etc., being In the Yarrow system of combination of turbines with in operation.
Diesel engines, the turbine shaft
is

made

hollow, and the shaft of the

is

Diesel engine passes through the hollow, and

connected to the

propeller shaft abaft the turbine by clutches, so arranged that either the

turbine or the Diesel engine can drive the screw shaft independently

and without the necessity of the Diesel engine making It will be remembered that in the destroyer Velox steam reciprocating engines were similarly used on the inner two of four shafts, all of which were driven by turbines at full speed, but these engines were subsequently replaced by cruising turbines. The performance of this combination of oil engines and turbines will be compared with other systems, i.e., turbines with gear between the
of one another,

the turbine revolve.

high and low pressure machines, with ordinary installations of twinscrew impulse and reaction turbines, and with triple and quadruple
screw-shaft sets of turbines working in series, as fitted in earlier
vessels.

Although with a combination of oil engine and turbine by the oil engine, is carried at full speed without being useful, and may thereby reduce the full speed by about 1 mile per hour, yet there is great gain in economy
additional weight, as represented

Oil

engines
for

German
battleship.

and the radius of action at cruising speed may be Does the one balance the other ? The other important combination of oil engines and turbines is that for a German battleship, the former for the centre and the This machinery of the Nuremberg type latter for the wing shafts.

when
2^

cruising,

to 3 times greater.

was intended
launch
to
fit

for the

Prinz-Eegent Luitpold, but as the engine was

it

considerably delayed for experiments,

was decided long before the

oil

turbines on the centre shaft instead of the

engine,

and
ship,

to

complete the latter for a later battleship.

It is further

significant that

an

oil

engine built at the same works for a cargo

and run

satisfactorily for long periods

about

month
oil

is

now

to be reserved for

experimental work, while another

type,
is

engine,

more resembling the marine steam

being made for the

OIL ENGINES.

105

merchant

ship.

As

to the battleship engine, three of the cylinders,

had been completed for some months, and had been worked on long continuous runs on the test bed, modifications having from time to time been made. Three other cylinders were to have been constructed, so that the complete engine would be of six cylinders, collectively of 12,000 B.H.P. It was of
of about 32 in. in diameter,

the two-cycle, double-acting type.

In February, however, a serious

accident occurred, causing the death of several

men and
Oil

the almost

complete destruction of the three-cylinder engine.

its

gas

found

by the scavenging pumps, forming an explosive mixture. The wooden building around the engine took fire, injuring the engine. The work of building the engine had
into the air delivered
therefore to be commenced anew. This new engine will also be on the two-cycle principle, which is generally finding most favour.

way

In the original four-cycle system there was the explosion, followed by the exhaust (return) stroke, then a suction or air admission stroke, and finally a compression (return) stroke preparatory to
another impulse or explosion, as in motor-car engines.
two-cycle system every outward stroke
stroke,

AYith the

is an impulse or explosion and during the return the products of combustion are expelled under air pressure for a brief part of the return travel of

the piston

process

known

as scavenging

the

remaining length
is sufficient to

of the travel being utilised for compressing the air in the cylinder

up

to

about 500

lb.,

when

the heat due to compression

ignite the oil sprayed in at the

end of the cylinder by means of

lb.

air

under high pressure, from 700

air,

upwards.

In the German battlesliip engine, the pumps for the scavenging Arrange ment of which never exceeds 8 lb. pressure, were worked from the main scavengshaft,

crank

but

placing those

now pumps in

there

is

generally a strong preference for

i"^

the same position as the air

pumps

in

steam

pumps.

and working them by levers from the engine The compressors for supplying the high-pressure air for spraying the oil into the cylinder are entirely separate from the main engine, and will keep the air storage bottles or reservoirs charged.
reciprocating engines,
crosshead.

This also

is

a widely approved system, as high-pressure air

may

be

required for manoeuvring or

when

the

main engine

is

not at work, so

that independent air compressors are preferaljle.

The double-acting
is

principle, adopted in the battleship engine, is not so generally favoured

at present.
this
it

That

it

must ultimately be the practice

accepted

in

resembles the steam engine.

I)y getting impulse or explosion

on each side of the piston, the power per unit of weight, or from
a cylinder of given diameter,
is

nearly doubled

but

it

is

felt

by

many

that

it

were well

to attain

sound mechanical success with the

106

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

single-acting engine before introducing the undoubted complication

of the double-action.
Designs
of oil-

engines.

more especially of the doubleacting type, is their great height as compared with that of steam engines, and still more as compared with the turbine. This is more or less
difficulty

with

all

oil

engines,

inherent to the system.

Some Continental
if

designs otherwise involve

great height and a need for longitudinal,

not also

lateral, staying,

which
is

is

opposed

to that free

movement

desirable in view of rapid

alternation of expansion

and contraction. The width of the bed-plate

that marine engineers are introducing into

being increased

now

designs, originally evolved

by engineers having experience only of

is

land-engine practice, such modifications as are required to suit marine

conditions.

The marine
and
its

reciprocating engine

the product of

fifty

years' evolution,

general features have been settled from other

reasons than caprice, so that oil engines which assimilate these features
will gain the greatest support.

We

are only at the beginning of a

new

era,

but two years' study has brought great changes.

The

crank pits are now to be open instead of being closed, as the marine engineer has always been accustomed to free and continuous inspection.

There

is

a probability that forced lubrication of bearings will be

adopted generally, but even then an easily removable crank pit cover
will suffice.
is

Again, greater freedom of access

in

is

being arranged

this

much needed

many

cases.
is

In some engines the great pressure

steel bolts

on the cylinder covers

cylinder to
bedplate,

taken by long
is

passing from

engineer

is

which designing column

most inconvenient.

The marine
taken in
attach-

tops, so that the pressure is

a direct straight line to the column, and there are then no direct
bolts to the bedplate.

The trunk piston with a gudgeon-pin

ment

direct to the connecting rod, as in motor-car engines, is dis-

carded because the piston rubbed against the cylinder wall and
increased wear and lubrication troubles.
accessible.

The crosshead,

too, is

more

With

a crosshead working in external slipper guides, and

a connecting rod, as in steam engines, only the piston rings, and not the piston, touch the cylinder walls, and even then the former are in a state of equipoise.

The scavenging air-pumps

air for

are best

worked by
oil

a lever from the crosshead, even in single-acting engines, and not by the crank shaft.

The high-pressure

spraying the fuel

may

be got from compressors of the vertical type, worked from the main crank, or by compressors with three radially arranged cylinders of
the Eeavell type, set at 120 degrees to each other, worked from the

main crank.
vibration

Both systems improve the turning moment, and reduce main engine. In large installations a separate oil-driven compressor has great advantages. In one or two cases a
of the

SUBMARINE OIL ENGINES.

separate
oil eu;::^ine

107

works a compressor up to 300 lb. pressure, and which supply current for working winches, etc. The 300 lb. air is stored in large reservoirs, which enable the main engine to be manoeuvred for a long time or to be reversed many times. Such 300 lb. ah', too, is supplied from the reservoirs to high-stage compressors, worked from the main crank, to raise the pressure to the 700 lb. to 1000 lb. necessary to spray
drives
also
electric generators,

the oil fuel.

These several improvements

in the

bring
"^

the
little

oil

engine within the Large

GXDGl'i-

range of practical application, but so far

manufacture of large cylinders.

.

has been accomplished mental In France there is at work a oii-engiae

1250-B.H.P. Carels cylinder on the two-cycle, single-acting principle,

....
is

cylinders.

and various lines of experiments continue,

cylinder covers to determine

for instance,

with different

the best arrangement of valves and

whetlier one or three oil fuel sprays give the better result.

In this
for

country a 1000-B.H.P. cylinder of the same type

being constructed.

When
titue

the tests

have yielded

tlieir

full

measure of guidance

designing an engine with five or six corresponding cylinders

little

need be occupied in producing a complete installation for a ship.

is

In Switzerland a 2000 H.P. cylinder

being

made

for experiment.
Subboa"oii

The engines
suggestion.

submarine boats afford useful data and These are now developing powers equal to that of the
built for
ships.

most powerful cylinders in oil-driven merchant

They

are engines.

nearly all of the two-cycle, single-acting type. Messrs Vickers have taken a prominent part in the development, but have succeeded in

keeping their work

fitted in

secret.

The F.I.A.T. engine, which

up
to

is

to

be

the British submarine boat, "X," to be built by Scott's Co. of

is

Greenock,
tions.

much used

in Italy

1000 B.H.P.

at

150 revolu-

In other countries also the two-cycle, single-acting engine is preferred, but the double-acting engine is being put forward. The
largest Continental
set,

totalling

submarine boat engines seem to be the twin-screw 2400 B.H.P., of the Nuremberg type, being built by

the Societe de la Loire for one of the large French submarine boats.

For small craft a large number of Diesel type and semi-Diesel type
engines are

being built.

In 1911 there were launched for the

Mercliant Service thirty-six small vessels with internal combustion

engines, in addition to a great

number

of vedette boats.
oil

Experience

with these engines will influence practice in

battleship
largest

machinery.

Excluding the three 32-in, cylinders forming half of the Gernuui Merchantengine, six of which will total 12,000 B.H.P., the f^^^^H

marine

oil

machinery built

totals

2500 I.II.P

of the type
fitted in

designed by Messrs. Burmeister and Wain, Copenliagen, and

passenger and cargo ships

Selandia and Jutlandia.

Tliese engines

108

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

In each engine there are
in.

are of the four-cycle single-acting type.

eight cylinders,

20*87

in.

in

diameter, with a stroke of 28 "74

this diameter is

Thus the power per cylinder of

warship work because of
of the
tlie

well under 200 H.P.

is

These dimensions suggest how hopeless the four-cycle engine

for

number

addition, there are in each ship

In two separate four-cylinder engines

of cylinders

required.

starting
air

same diameter, supplying 300-lb. air to the main engines for and reversing and for driving generators. Part of the 300-lb.
is

thus compressed

utilised in a crank-driven
lb.

high stage air

1000 lb., for spraying the There is also an oil fuel donkey boiler to supply steam oil fuel. for blowing the ship's siren, to run a steam-driven stand-by compressor, and to work capstans and other gear in harbour. All the steering gear, are driven. The auxiliaries, including the electrically largest engine building is by Krupp, and is for a 10,800-ton steamer for the German branch of the Anglo-American Oil Co. Each of the two sets is of 1750 B.H.P., and the six cylinders are each of 22*45 in.
compressor, working to from 700
to

diameter, by 39*4-in. stroke.

acting principle and
at

They work on the two-cycle

singleis

125 revolutions the power per cylinder

is

under 300 H.P.

notable set of twin-screw

of

Nuremberg double3500-ton steamer.

18-^-in. diameter,
is

acting engines completed

1700 B.H.P.

for a

There are six cylinders in each engine, and each

by

28^-in. stroke, developing, at 125 revolutions per minute, nearly

300 B.H.P. per cylinder

figure which, in conjunction with the

diameter, indicates the higher power possible with double-action

when compared with anticipations of the design already stated for The most advanced large Carels engine a type single-action. winning much favour is being constructed by Messrs. Schneider

for the France, a ship of

4920

tons.

The power

of each engine is

900 B.H.P., and the four cylinders two-cycle single-acting are A Carels engine of each 17*72-in. diameter by 22'05-in. stroke.

1000 B.H.P. is being constructed by Messrs. Eichardson, Westgarth The crank pit is open, the columns splayed, Co., Middlesbrough. and the scavenging air-pump is driven from crosshead levers, while

&

the high-stage compressors are of the Pea veil type, operated from the

end of the crank shaft. In all these respects this engine conforms to steam practice, and to this extent differs from the engines of the In Eussia there are two small gunboats with oil engines. France.
Advanthe
oil

These particulars do not indicate great developments so far as

the power per cylinder
is

concerned,
of

as

there are none exceeding

engine.

300

B.H.P,, but

the

number

large

mercantile sea-going ships

being fitted
progress

four

were launched in 1911, and

in

many more

are in

prove increasing confidence

the

new prime mover.

AUXILIAKY MACHINERY.

109

The advantages are seductive if reliability at sea can be ensured, and we are fast reaching such reliability. As to gain, under the
most favourable conditions only 13 per
coal
is

cent, of the heat stored in

converted
is

into

work

in

the

steam

engine,

while

the

percentage
engine.

The

internal

40 per cent, in the case of the oil consumption per B.H.P. is 0*45 lb. of oil in the combustion engine as against 1:^ lb. of coal in steam
35 per cent, to
fuel

machinery.

In addition there are advantages in weight and space

Auxiliary
gjy_

upon the complete machinery installation. The oil engine requires its separate air compressor and reservoirs and one or two other auxiliaries, but in this respect it does not demand the same number or weight of machines as does a steam Taking the battle-cruiser Invincible, of 4;>,000 H.P., installation. The steam plant needs some eighty separate engines as an example. of about 2800 I.H.P., and the majority of these are the heaviest All of these, as "steam eaters" for their power in the ship.
well as the condensers, could be dispensed with in an oil-engined sliip. The main engine compressors could be utilised in the

production of the high-pressure air for torpedo firing and for some work in the big gun turrets, and there would be advantage in thus
concentrating the air-compressing
to the

work, as

part

of the air raised

700

lb.

or

1000

lb.

pressure for fuel injection in the

main

engines could be stored, and,

when

reG[uired,
lb.

passed to a high-stage

compressor for raising

it

to the

2500

pressure for torpedo firing.

hoists could be

worked by compressed air, but as electricity is required for lighting and other operations, these auxiliaries, as well as the hydraulic power plant, by electricity from the oil-engine driven could be operated Even the oil-engine exhaust might be utilised in generators.

The capstans and other deck gear and

connection with the distilling plant and hot water service.

are

There
prime-

possible

advantages from such concentration

of

the

moving media. The question

authorities,

which
is

disturbs
to

shipowners

as

well as naval

Oil

however,

dynamical efficiency
the price of
is

whether the superior thermoas and the advantage from reduced weight and

'^"PP^*

space will not be more than counterbalanced by future increases in

oil,

as

not justified so
oil

ownership of

compared with current prices of coal. This fear much by possible deficiencies in supply as by the fields being concentrated in such few hands as to

encourage market manipulation and price infiation.

it is

As

to supply,

computed that, were all naval and merchant ships driven by oil engines, the amount of fuel required would be from 24,000,000 to 25,000,000 tons per annum. In the past two years the oil output for

110

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

the world increased by about 10,000,000 tons, and in six or seven

it has gone up from 28,750,000 to about 50,000,000 tons. In 1904 it was 28,750,000 tons, in 1908 it reached 38,000,000 tons; it advanced in 1909 to nearly 40,000,000 tons, and in 1910 jumped' up to over 47,000,000 tons, and this year it should be about

years

50,000,000 tons.
all
oil

This

total,

however, means crude

oil,

containing

the light oils which are extracted by distillation before the heavy

used in engines

is

obtained.

The proportion of heavy

;

oil is

never
of the

more than one-half

50,000,000
Distribution of world's

of the total of crude oil

indeed, one-third is

nearer the correct figure.

tons

Thus

little

more than one-third

is

of crude oil produced

suitable for the internal

combustion engines described.

The United States takes

fields

first

place

among

the producing countries,

providing 64 per cent, of the world's supply, and four

supply
of oil.

were opened out in the Middle West in 1910.

yielding

new petroleum California is now

and
Illinois

the

principal oil

9,000,000 tons per

third
;

annum

State giving between 8,000,000 Oklahoma Territory next, and

is

give three-fourths of the supply from the and more than one-half of the world's supply. liussia is the second most prolific producing country but the output, which in 1910 was about 9,000,000 tons, shows little increase over a period of years. Great hope is still taken in the Maikop field, but experience show^s that the oil is at a greater depth than was
these
three

United

States,

at first anticipated.
it is said,

Baku

wells are yielding less than formerly, due,

to partial exhaustion

must be sought.
per
cent, in

and to the greater depth at which oil In two years there has been a decrease of 32 the supply from this district. The Galician field,
on the wane.
There output
in 1911

which used

to take third place, is

development, and the

Eoumania shows was one and half million

is

tons, or three times that of 1906.

progress,

too,

in

the

Dutch East

Indies, the total for

1911 being 1,624,000

tons, against

1,000,000 tons in 1906.

These are the principal foreign sources of

is

supply, and their location

British Colonial
oil fields.

of strategical interest.
in,

Exploration

is

being actively pursued

and

is

certainly not

applies to Burma, where the yield is developing. Oil is known to exist, and springs have given oil in the Punjab and Baluchistan. In Canada and the West Indies (notably at Trinidad and Bermuda), on the Gold Coast and in Nigeria, development work is in progress indeed, an experimental supply from Trinidad is now being used in boilers in

being neglected, by British possessions.

This

British

naval

ships.

Generally petroliferous deposits are miore

widely distributed than was supposed to be the case even a year

or

two

aso.

FUTURE OF
It

OIL FUEL.

Ill
Extended

great

must not be forgotten, however, that oil as fuel for boilers is in demand tor land service. American locomotives, tor instance, now
oil

use over 8,000,000 tons of

is a

per

annum

for

tliis

purpose, and this

rapidly increasing quantity.

The time

is fast

approaching when

oil

will be exclusively used in all warships, not only in the British

Navy but

in all Fleets.
is tliat

feature conducive to fairly reasonable

prices continuing

the mechanical appliances for recovering oil

from great depths are improving in efficiency without increasing in

first

cost,

so

that

it

may

be found practicable to work

at great

depths more economically in the future.

The expense

of transit

by piping and of transport by tank steamers is lessening. Thus the oil engine is certain to come into favour for many The mamerchant ships, and has potentialities also for large warships. At the battlepresent

much

research

work

is

being done which will yield definite

Full consideration of the results

cruiser of

the future.

data and encourage development.

so far achieved with all types of

machinery suggests, however,

that,
it

although this

new prime mover

has claims for moderate powers,

does not assist towards the solution of problems affecting such high-

powered warships as battle-cruisers of 28

in all

to

30 knots speed.
if

The

conclusions, almost inevitable, are that, in such ships,

not indeed

high-powered

fast ships, boilers

with small tubes should be

oil fuel

adopted and worked under greater pressure, that

exclusively used irrespective of
its
first

should be

cost, that
F.,

superheated to the extent of 100 deg.

will ensure high

steam should be and that the combined

These

impulse-reaction turbine, with or without power transmission gear,

economy

at reduced as well as full speed.

offer probabilities of satisfactory solution of the

problem of augmenting
of steam

propelling power without involving a proportionate increase in the

weight of machinery.
engines

The

alternative designs

being manufactured for ships of the

British

and oil Navy, and

the care exercised in collecting data for guidance towards future

improvements and developments, establish the fact that the engineering work of our Admiralty is, to say the least, in no respect behind that of other Powers, and that while reliability is very properly a first consideration, enterprise is readily favoured and risks prudently
encountered.

Alex. Richardson.

112

CHAPTEE VI. Nayal War Staffs.

There is reason to expect tliat the organization and character of the Naval War Stafif, as outlined in the First Lord's Memorandum, dated January 1st, 1912, and further explained to the Fleet in a circular
dated March 11th, will

commend themselves

generally to the good

judgment

Naval Service. That the scheme has been accepted with reluctance by some officers is no doubt true. Certain safeguards were and are necessary, such as that of protecting the Navy from the danger of the rise of a distinct and privileged class of officers for whom commands and appointments would be reserved. Such a result could have no other effect than to weaken the spirit of comradeship in the Fleet and to discourage But if this a large class of deserving and meritorious officers. consequence be averted, the wisdom of what has been done will be The best feature of the scheme is that it is generally recognised. the outcome of organic growth within the Admiralty departments, which have developed and changed to meet the new conditions and complexities of the Naval Service. The existence of the Board of Admiralty is a potent and highly beneficial factor in the creation and
of

the

sphere of action of the

that the
its

new

Staff.

It

may

be contended with reason

Certainly
all

War

Staff implies nothing that is really new.

functions have been executed

in the past, and when its organisation and duties are examined it will be seen that nothing more than a new and better form and an enlarged system are given to things which existed already. It is also a paramount merit of the scheme that it is based neither upon military nor upon foreign parallels. The command, leading, and conduct of troops in the field, if they differ in all respects in kind from the command and handling not do The of ships and fleets, differ profoundly from them in degree.

success

and

executed with unexampled

differences, indeed,

may

well be so great as in their consequences to

of

be fundamental.

The campaign

Hawke which ended

at Quiberon

Bay, the long blockades of Brest and the Atlantic ports, and Nelson's blockade of Toulon, showed that the business of supplying and

maintaining a

fleet

the First Lord's

Memorandum

demands both experience and knowledge, but, as stated, war on land varies in every
involving the

country according to numberless local conditions,

thinking out of a whole series of intricate arrangements and elaborate

processes.

In other words, the sea service has nothing to do with

ADMIRALTY STAFF DEVELOPMENT.

problems arising
units, as affected

113

iu the transport and supply of various military by muddy roads or no roads at all, flooded rivers, broken bridges, and a hundred other circumstances of land warfare. " The sea, on the other hand, is all one, and, though ever changing, always the same ev^ery ship is self-contained and self-propelled." Still more important is it to observe the manner in which the system of the British Naval War Staff, or Admiralty War Staff, as it
;

Evolution
British
^^aff.

is

styled

in

the

Navy
to

List,

differs

from the systems prevailing

abroad, where complications arise from the

answering

precisely

the

Admiralty

want of any organisation Board in this country.

These differences are mainly the subject of the present chapter, but
it is fii'st

necessary to show the gradual development of the British

Staff

Naval

War

from

earlier organisations in order to explain

some

dangers that have been avoided.

that after Sir

It

may

be argued with reason,

James Graham had abolished the Navy and Victualling and absorbed the Civil Departments in the Admiralty, the Sea Lords became inevitably more and more engrossed in the complexities of a vast material business, and consequently had fewer opportunities of studying problems of war and war training than had their predecessors, until, at last, the constitution of a Naval War Staff became imperative. This great transfer of business took place in 1831, Sir Thomas Masterman Hardy being at that time First Sea Lord, but it was not until 1883 that the Foreign Intelligence Branch came into existence. It had a modest beginning and was not regarded with much favour, and in 1886, when some reduction was projected, Lord Charles Beresford, on that and other grounds, resigned his seat on the Admiralty Board, and proposed the institution of a Naval Intelligence Department. There is no intention of recording the history of the Intelligence Department here. It continued to do useful work, conducted in a few dusty and inconvenient rooms in Whitehall, endeavouring to master the significance of every fresh development of naval science, and formulating plans for use in the event of the outbreak of war. It was the agency always available to the Admiralty for duties of this kind, and those who were acquainted with its work knew that, as time passed on, the title of Intelligence Department became a misnomer, intelligence, as such, forming the least important part of
Boards,
the duties of the Department.

Intelli-

c^'^art-

ent.

The conspicuous success of the German

Great General Staff of the Army, under the guidance of Moltke,

itself upon the minds of thinkers in every country. The Hartiugton Commission of 1889 toyed with the subject, and it was first brought prominently to public notice by Mr. (now Professor)

had impressed

Spenser Wilkinson, in

little

book entitled " Tiie Brain of the

I

Navy," 1895.

It

may be

questioned, however, whether that writer has

114

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

greatly influenced the changes which have subsequently taken place.

He

regarded the Board of Admiralty as a " legal fiction "

it

recorded

nothing and was altogether subservient to the First Lord.

desired

What

he

was a Moltke for the Navy the best naval strategist in the Service and no one was to stand between him and the Cabinet, as " If you have a represented by the First Lord of the Admiralty. first-rate strategist, with an office of picked and trained officers as assistants, to work at the arrangements for a possible war, it would

evidently be absurd to put another

man

as

a buffer or telephone

between him and the Cabinet which needs

his advice."

Evidently,

then, in this conception of the case, the high strategist could be no

other than an invigorated and responsible First Sea Lord.

The

First

The developments which have taken place have not led

result,

to this

Sea Lord and the

Chief of the Staff.

and the First Sea Lord stands between the Chief of the Staff and the First Lord. The Admiralty Board had a clear view of one vital necessity. There must be a direct line in the naval hierarchy

from the Staff up through the Board and the First Sea Lord to the Cabinet Minister. The latter as a civilian is, by the very nature of things, incompetent to decide between two distinct lines of policy advocated by responsible naval authorities. It was of the utmost importance to guard against this manifest danger. Any other arrangement would be contrary to the highest traditions of the

Progressive

changes.

and fraught with insecurity and the promise of disaccord. view expressed in some quarters that the Chief of the Staff should present an annual report to Parliament, thus superseding the Board of Admiralty and overriding his senior officers, there could, of course, be no parley with a contention so palpably absurd. The sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence, which was assembled to investigate the grave charges of naval unpreparedness made by Lord Charles Beresford, in a letter to the Prime Minister, dated April 2nd, 1909, finding that there were differences of opinion amongst officers of high rank regarding important principles of naval strategy and tactics, stated in their report, dated August 12th, 1909, that they looked forward " with much confidence to the further development of a Naval AVar Staff," from which the naval members of the Board might be expected to derive common Two months later a change was made " in further developbenefit. ment of the policy which has actuated the Board of Admiralty for some time past of organising a Navy War Council." The Naval Mobilisation Department was brought into being under the direction of a flag officer (Bear- Admiral H. G. King-Hall), and took over that part of the business of the Naval Intelligence Department and the Naval War College which related to war plans and mobilisation. Under the presidency of the First Sea Lord the officers directing the
Service,

As

to the

FIRST LORD'S

MEMORANDUM.

115

Naval Intelligence and Mobilisation Departments and the Assistant Secretary of the Admiralty were to form a standing War Council, with which the Eear-Admiral commanding the Naval War College might be associated when the business was such as to require his presence. Surprise was expressed in some quarters at the leisurely manner in which those distinguished officers, Lord Fisher and Sir Arthur Wilson, proceeded in this matter of organising a Naval War Council
or Staff.

Perhaps the explanation of the circumstance

of a

is

to

be

found in a wise remark made by Moltke in the course

comment
their

on German Generals and the

said, "

Army

Staff.

"

There are generals," he

who need no

counsel,

who

deliberate

and resolve in

own

minds, those about them having only to carry out their intentions."
"

But such generals," he added,

" are stars

of the first magnitude,

who scarcely appear once in a century." This judgment of the great German soldier suggests a further reflection touching the British Naval

War
a

Staff.

These

" stars of the first

magnitude," themselves finding

foreseen the rise of lesser

staff a

luxury or superfluous,
to

may have

luminaries at some future time

whom

a staff

would prove a

necessity.
British

Mr. Churchill's

Memorandum on

the constitution of the Naval

War

and the organisation and duties of the Staff will not be described here, but the diagram given below will illustrate the relations and lines of responsibility and authority in the several departments. It will be seen that the only relations which can properly exist and the point is of great importance between the Chief of the Staff and the First Lord must be through the channel of the First Sea Lord. The provision that " the First Lord and the First Sea Lord will, whenever convenient,
Staff is printed elsewhere in this volume,

gyg^em

consult the Directors of the various Divisions, or other officers

necessary,"

if

seems,

however, to present some risks against which

precautions should be taken.

First

Lord

of the

Admiralty.

" Delegate of the Crown in exercising supreme executive power."

First Sea Lord.

Other members of
^he Admiralty

For certain purposes holding the " position of Commander-in-Chief of the Navy."

Board, directing

it

Chief of the

Departments.
Staff.

" Primarily responsible to the First Sea Lord."

Intelligence Division.
"

Operations Division.
"

Mobilisation Division
"

War

information."

War

plans."

War

arrangements."
I

116
German
Admiralstab.

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

It is interesting to

compare

this

arrangement with that which

exists in

Germany

in the organisation of the Admiralstab, though, in

view of the

fact that the

system was partially described in the Naval

Annual last year, the subject shall be dealt with briefly here. The German Emperor is head of the Navy in a much more real sense than the King is head of the British Naval Service. He is the supreme executive officer of the German Navy, being its proThe Navy fessional chief, both in command and administration.

may

be,

though in practice

it

is

not, controlled

by the Imperial

The Admiral Staff is not upon the same scale as the Army Staff, and its chief and its officers have no executive function, and are unconcerned with finance. They are employed in the duties which are grouped round the function of command. The Chief of the Staff is independent of the Chief of the Imperial Navy Office, and though they may, and do, collaborate in their work, there is no bond between them, and no direct channel, for example, through which the Admiral Staff can influence the development of ship types. These two high officers are both du'ectly subject to the Emperor, whose advisers they are, and the Emperor can call to his counsels any other officer whose appointment places This system is him in an Immediatstellung to the Throne. radically different from that which has been adopted in this country, and it presents difficulties and dangers which are only arrested or averted by the exercise of the supreme executive power of the Emperor. The organisation is as follow^s
Chancellor in the Emperor's name.
:

The Emperor.
OberbefeJilshaber

Executive Chief in Command and Administration of the Navy.

Naval Secretary
State.

of

2.

Chief of the Admiral Staff.

with everythat relates to
I

3.

C.-in-C. Baltic.

4.
5. 6.

C.-in-C.NorthSea.
Insp. of Training.

Chief

of Imperial Navy Office deals with every;

Concerned
thing

thing that costs money.

command.
Sections

Chief of High Seas

Fleet.

concerned

7.

with intelligence, plans for operations, mobilisation,

Chief of Cruiser Squadron.

and
This
is

training.

the organisation and system which were completed by the

great changes made in 1899, with the object of separating the functions of comma-nd and administration and placing them upon a The OherJcommando of the Emperor was sure and independent basis.

GERMAN AND FRENCH NAVAL

STAFFS.

117

then abolished, his Majesty took over the supreme executive command,
or OhcrhefeM,

and the section

staff

of the Oherhomjiiando whicli

had been

concerned with
to the

duties

was
its

erected

into

the

independent

Admiralstab der Marine, with

seat in Berlin,

and a responsibility
Origin and
^gfe^tg ^f

Emperor alone. The constitution and duties of a Naval Staff concerned with the duties of command must inevitably conform to the requirements of A system which the system of Government under which it serves.
is

the
!FrGTicri

applicable to the

command

to that of the

Navy

not applicable system. of Germany, and neither system could be applied

of the British
is

Navy

French Navy. It was in 1868 that the French Naval Staff made a modest beginning. The Chief of the Staff in former times had been an officer analogous to our " Captain of the Fleet," who
to the

acted as
a
similar

the alter ego or right hand of an admiral afloat, and in

capacity at
to

port.

proposed

the

Emperor

Admiral Eigault de Genouilly Napoleon 111. that the Minister of

Marine should have such a coadjutor, as Chief of the Staff, at the head of the Bureau of Operations, which was to be attached to the
Minister's
Minister's
several

Cabinet.

This

Chief of the Staff was to

concerned.

act in the

name

in order to secure rapid decision in matters in

which

departments

were

He was
of

the

immediate

collaborator of the Minister.

The organisation

1868 remained

almost unchanged until 1881,

said, in order that
fleet in his

when

the office of Chief of the Staff of

the Fleet was attached to the Staff at the Ministry, as Admiral Clone

the Minister might have the whole of the active

hands.

In 1882 an Intelligence Branch was added to the

Operations

Branch, and in the following year M. Barbey, being

Minister, organised the staff

of branches executing defined duties.

still to

more completely, with a certain number The Chief of the Staff was

be the right hand of the Minister, giving effect to his policy,

and
So

to hold

services,
far

permanent relations with the inspectors-general of the and with the Admiralty Council and the Council of Works. was this system extended that the Minister of Marine dele-

gated a part of his duties to the Chief of the Staff, and orders relating
thereto, issued

by the

latter,

had the same executive authority

as

if

they had emanated from the Minister himself.

The result was that the Chief of the Staff became engrossed in a multitude of business matters which practically precluded him from
It was soon become too powerful, and M. de Lanessan therefore reorganised his Department and restricted the range of his authority. "Whether the Minister was in this influenced by the example of Germany, or by the view that he

undertaking his real duties of preparing for war.

discovered,

moreover,

that

he

had

118

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

superseded,

himself had been partially

does not clearly appear.

The

was that the Chief of the Staff became in practice head of little more than the Operations Branch, and Admiral Bienaime, reproaching the Minister, said that the Chief and his branches worked a vide. " Si vous me faites jamais connaitre un acte de I'etat-major general, qui puisse compter parmi les progres de la marine si vous pouvez me montrer son influence dans la construction des
result

batiments, de notre artillerie, dans la mise en accord des differents

services,

je

crois

que vous

ferez

un tour de

force."
is

It will

be

observed that the conception expressed in this statement

different

altogether

from that which has inspired the

affairs,

German system.

The

Chief of the Staff would exercise a practical and direct power in the

conduct of naval

instead of being an adviser only.

change in the

latter direction was,

however, made by M. Lockroy

in 1896,

when

the departments for the Fleet in commission, the Fleet

under construction, and the accountant service were separated. The Chief of the Staff was no longer to be an intermediary between the
Minister and the departments, but was to be the head of an inde-

pendent department, poursuivant son but special sans preoccupations etrangeres. In the distribution of business, however, the Chief of the
Staff exercised supervision over twelve different branches, including

those for staff work proper, naval law, pay and clothing, hospitals,

hydrography and submarine defences, so that the was almost worse than the first. In 1899 the Chief of the
stores,

last state

Staff

was

definitively relieved of his duties as Chief of the Minister's Cabinet,

and was stripped of some other

little

duties, so that

he thenceforth exercised
of the naval
staff,

other control than that over the

members

and

more advantageously with the duties was subsequently officially admitted that problems, which had scarcely been raised and for want of time had been neglected, were at last in process of solution. In his volume " La Defense Navale," M. Lockroy alleges that, " des plans de campagne et de guerre, il n'en existait pas en juillet, 1898 [the period of FashodaJ a peine quelques "phrases vagues et sans coJiesion, ecrites sur
had
leism-e to concern himself
It

of preparation for war.

un
Tiie existing

cahier."

A decree of January 31, 1902, with

.

some subsequent
.
.

modifications,
.

French
system.

regulates the existing organisation of the French Naval Staff, which has been placed under the direct authority of the Minister. Its chief

has been relieved of

all responsibilities for

the various classes of the

of

naval personnel,
branches.

and
has

for

the

direction

several
of

administrative

an executive which concern character, and confines his activities to questions At the same time he possesses what is preparation for war.
administrative
duties

He

no

FRENCH NAVAL STAFF DEVELOPMENT.

believed to be a sufficient, though
affairs
ill

119

defined,

power of survey in
His position
the Superior

having relation to his special duties, and can require the

is

departments to supply such information as he desires.

is

strengthened by the fact that he

is

member

of

Council of the Navy, which

to a

the nearest approach the French possess

Board of Admiralty.

This system has not been accepted without

officers,

reservations

by some senior and Admiral de la Jaille,

including Admiral

Bienaime
of

and

undoubtedly

questions

the

gravest importance are

is still

left in a position of

some uncertainty.
of

There

the crucial difficulty of a separation between the functions the

of

command and
is

executive

duties

administration.

The

Chief of the Staff

concerned with the former.

What is his

influence

upon the latter ? The lena disaster, and the great shipbuilding programme of Admiral Boue de Lapeyrere, caused this question to be much discussed. It was believed by some officers that the Chief of
the Staff could exercise no influence in matters of ship design, but at

a Senatorial Committee of Inquiry he said the Minister had consulted

him on the

subject of the battleships of 18,000 tons, and that, even

if

he had not been consulted, the decree of 1902 placed upon him the
If a new gun was to be introduced, a report thereon would be submitted for his opinion. Upon other matters of like kind he said he would be consulted. The Director of Naval Construction considered the decree of January 31, 1902, explicit on the point that the Technical Committee should submit proposals for the visa of the
responsibility.

naval
guerre,

staff",

parce que
interesse

celui-ci,

etant Vorgane charge de preparer la

chef.

est

au

pi'emier

The Director-General

of

Ordnance declared that there was no disunion in the central Nous vivons dans la collaboration la plus intime avec administration.
le

chef d'etat-major.
in

These declarations seem to show that

official

relations

France are closer than the actual structure of the

organisation provides for in

that in all countries those
object

Germany though, of course, it is true who work whole-heartedly for a common

;

must collaborate in measures for its attainment. But in order that no doubt should be left as to the influence to be exerted by the Chief of the Staff' in France, a modification of the decree was introduced in November, 1907, which appears to have been regarded by opponents of the new system as a confession that it was in some respects defective. Except in regard to the movements of the Fleet, the Naval Staff was un organe d'etudes a thinking body but if preparation for war requires long and incessant study, it is certain tliat it demands also an effective and constant participation in the organisation and setting

French
^j^g^gtafi-s

power

of

in

motion of

activities of every nature

c'est-d-dire

une part

reelle et

120

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

et d' impulsion, said the preamble of the newAccordingly, the Naval Staff received a " right of initiative,"
it,

indispensable d'initiative
decree.

enabling
execution

in case of need, to prescribe to other departments the

of such

works, experiments, or

trials as it

may

desire.

Another important innovation

which appears

to

have been caused

by the events

in

Morocco

authorised

the Minister, after notifying

the various Departments, to delegate authority to the Chief of the

and immediate executive instructions in order to business. This regulation seems to contemplate the situation which would arise during periods of strained diplomatic relations and preparations for war. The organisation of the French Naval Staff will be best seen by the following diagram
Staff to issue direct

secure

rapid

despatch of

President of the Eepublic.

I

Minister of Marine.

Chief of the Naval

Staff.

Other Members of the Superior

I

Movements Branch.
(MisceUaneous Business.)

Technical, Ordnance,

and other

1st Section (Intelligence).

Departments.

2nd Section (Coast Defence and

Ports).

3rd Section

(War Plans and

Pre-

paration).

4th Section (Ship Designs,

5th Section (Training,

etc.).

etc.).

The

Movements

Branch

appears
;

anomalous

in

its

civilian

character and miscellaneous duties

the 4th Section has given rise

to a great controversy concerning the relation of the

Naval

Staff to
is

the Technical services alluded to above, and the 5th Section recent constitution.
Origin of

of

In the United States

exists

Navy a Naval War

There
is

Staff,

not fully organised,

some objection in Congress and American system. elsewhere to the word " staff," and the Army Staff seems to be regarded as standing in opposition to the will of the Legislature, and The office of Naval Intelligence its intended enlargement is opposed. was established in 1882 the Naval War College came into existence The need in 1884, and the General Board was created in 1890. of intelligence was brought home to the authorities at the beginning of the new Navy by the many deficiencies that became apparent The institution of the War in the naval resources of the country.
under another name.
;

UNITED STATES GENERAL BOARD.

College was a more important step, for the College
sense
a
is

121
in no ordinary

teaching establishment.

It

is

a place for the study and

war in all its phases historical, and tactical of events which lead up to war, and of the Besides carrying probabilities or possibilities which arise therefrom. on such studies, it prepares and lays before the General Board such schemes as are called for; and in conjunction with the General Board, it prepares plans for all eventualities, and is able to furnish to a Commander-in-Chief in war complete studies of any theatre
discussion of naval problems, of
strategic

of war.

In an opening address delivered by Captain French E. Chadwick, General

hoped the war was accomplished " in the College. triune organisation of the General Board, the War College, and the Intelligence Office." It is the pride of the Naval War College that it was the instrument for bringing before the world the doctrines established by the master-mind of Mahan. It was the College, in
U.S.N., President of the a
College, in 1902, he said he
Staff

War

establishing of

Naval General

co-operation with the General Board, that prepared the plans for the

war with Spain.

The General Board advises the Secretary

of the

Navy on

important matters, such as the question of the Panama Canal, the shipbuilding programme, and the location of the Navy
all

yards and docks.

In his report for 1910 Mr. Meyer, Secretary of

the Navy% said that during the year the work of the General Board,

War
date."

College,

co-ordinated, so

and Office of Naval Intelligence had been better that war plans and strategic studies were "up to
is

The

principal business of the Intelligence Office

indicated

name, and the chief duty of the General Board, which has been regarded as constituting the nucleus of a staff, and of the War College, has been to prepare and perfect war plans, and to train officers to understand and execute them. Although the Naval Board is accustomed to put forward its judgment as to what the shipits

by

building

programme should

be,

Congress and sometimes of the

always therein exceeding the views of Navy Department, its formation was,

perhaps, best described by Eear- Admiral H. C. Taylor, U.S.N., in a

paper read at the Naval Institute, Annapolis, in 1903, as being to

avoid as
force

much

as possible questions of material,

we should
this as

have, but to prepare for

and " not to say what war whatever force Congress

should give us."

sibility for can-ying out its

may, the General Board was and is without responrecommendations. It has had no executive powers, nor has it had any means of co-ordinating its views with those which emanate from the Bureaus. When Mr. Meyer instituted the " Aids " for his Department, it was with the idea of creating
it

Be

122
a

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

effect
is

means through which

operating division of the Fleet

might be given to policy. " An a branch that has been lacking in

The Aid for Operations advises the Secretary as to strategic and tactical concerns in conjunction with the General Board, and regarding movements and the disposition of vessels, and he prepares orders for the Secretary's signature covering these matters. There is no executive power, except through the action of the Secretary, and where money is to be expended the
the

Navy Department."

consent of Congress
Peculiarities of

is

required.

This system
tration

is

unlike those which exist in the naval adminis-

the

of

Great Britain,
is

Germany, and

France.
is

The

Aid

for

American
system.

Operations

concerned with the work which

analogous to that

falling within

the province of the British First Sea Lord, but the

practice as

latter is a responsible officer, acting in

Commander-inChief of the Navy, while the Aid for Operations is merely an assistant of the civilian Secretary of the Navy, and in no sense controls the Naval General Board. The same is true of the functions of the other
Aids,

who

deal with matters concerning jjersonnel, material, works, etc.

therefore has various advisers,

The Secretary
of 1911

and

is

merely assisted

in co-ordinating policy

programme was under cousideration, the Naval General Board advised the laying down of four battleships, sixteen destroyers, and a conThe Secretary and the siderable number of scouts and auxiliaries. Navy Department did not accept the suggestion. They recommended only two battleships, struck out the destroyers, and most of the auxiliaries, and inserted two submarines. Therefore the General Board does not necessarily influence policy, and there appears to be wanting some organization analogous to the Board of Admiralty in the British The following Service, or the French Superior Council of the Navy. scheme of the United States organization must be regarded in the
by
his Aids.

When

the naval

light of the preceding remarks.

President.
I

Secretary of the Navy,

assisted

by Naval Aids.
I

(Aid for Operations.)

I.I.

(Aid for Personnel.)

(Aid for Matiriel.)

Naval General Board. Naval War College.

Intelligence Of&ce.

Bureaus concerned
with
duties.

Bureaus

these

Construction, Ordof

Board

nance, &c.

(Aid for Inspection.) of Inspectors. Survey, Shore Stations, &c.

Conclusion.

It is not possible to

pursue this question further by an inquiry

systems existing in the administration of other navies. into been said to suggest that the problems arising from has Enough
the
the organization of Naval

War

Staffs, of

co-ordinating the functions

FEATURES OF WAR STAFFS.

of administration

123

and command, and of advisory and executive authorities, are engrossing attention in all navies. The new system in the British Navy is the outcome of tradition and experience, and certainly is more efficient, as a salutary means of bringing to bear the influence of mature thought upon all naval ])roblems that may arise, than any of the systems that have been examined. In Germany everything turns upon the final executive power of the Emperor. In France the Chief of the Staff occupies a position
analogous to that of the British First Sea Lord, but he
subject to the Minister, his authority
is

directly

and functions are not the same, and the organisation of the sections of his department is confused with administrative and executive duties, owing to the want of an organic system for co-ordinating the duties of administration and command. In the United States the existence of a strong bureau system operates against the position and influence of the General Board, and gives the Secretary a great many advisers, in dealing with whose counsel he has sought the assistance of " Aids," whose position he is now seeking to establish by legislative
enactment.

John Leyland,

124

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

CHAPTER
Eecent Changes
in

VII.

Warship Design.*
made
in

FAIR appreciation of the character and rapidity of changes

tlie

Dreadnought and the three vessels of the Invincible class, must be based upon an understanding of the principal characteristics in which those four ships differed from their predecessors. Keeping in view the nature and extent of the changes made when passing from pre-Dreadnoughts to Dreadnoughts, one can measure more justly the difference between Dreadnoughts and post-Dreadnoughts, or, as it is the fashion in some quarters to call the latest types, super-Dreadnoughts.
ESSENTIAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PRE-DREADNOUGHTS

warship designs, since the advent of

AND DREADNOUGHTS.
The
faciiitat-^*^

ing Dreaddesign.

The essential differences in the designs of the Dreadnoughts as compared with their predecessors may be summarised as follows first, higher speed second, a principal armament of ten 12-in. guns for battleships instead of four 12-in. guns, and of eight 12-in. guns instead of four 9 2-in. guns for armoured cruisers third, the absence of any secondary armament (7 '5-11]. or 6-in. guns); fourth, an important change in the distribution of the side-armour. In consequence of these changes, it became inevitable that the dimensions, displacements and costs of the new types should be greater than
:

those of their predecessors.

Most fortunately
of

for

naval architects, the genius and perseverance

Sir Charles Parsons placed at their disposal the

marine steam

turbine at the time

when

the increase of speed was decided upon.

development of greater Steam turbines provided a means of obtaining a greater development of engine power in proportion to the weight of propelling apparatus because they proved to be more economical than reciprocating engines in their consumption of steam and coal
of course, necessitated the

Higher speeds,

engine power.

at or near

maximum

powers.

Consequently, for a given horse-power

the use of turbines secured economies of weight and space in boiler

*

request.

This chapter was kindly undertaken by Sir William White at Editob.

my

special

CHARACTERISTICS OF DREADNOUGHTS.
rooms
;

125
floor-space

aud, although turbines required

somewhat greater

than reciprocating engines, the total floor-space needed for turbines

and boilers was not much larger than that required for reciprocating Turbines could be engines and boilers giving the same power. placed lower in the ships, and occupied less height, leaving above them considerable clear space, which would have been occupied by
the cylinders of reciprocating engines.

Their lower situation in

the ship also gave better protection in action.

the

The adoption

of

steam turbine, therefore, in the Dreadnought and Invincibles greatly facilitated the attainment of higher speeds on smaller displacements and dimensions than would have been possible had
reciprocating engines been employed, as they necessarily were in
earlier

illustrated

The principle hereby and has received endless Ships of illustrations in ship-design both for war and commerce. in science improvement of march later date always benefit by the when they overlooked and manufacture and the fact must not be in proNot only are compared with vessels built at earlier periods. pelling apparatus but in materials of construction and naval ordnance the Dreadnought and Invincibles necessarily gained upon their predecessors, and are at some disadvantage as compared with later ships
battleships
is

and armoured

cruisers.

of

general

application,

the so-called super-Dreadnoughts.

Eadical changes in the character of the principal armament of Increased
the Dreadnought

and

Invincibles, although

named
of a

as the second

cause of increased dimensions and

displacements, had really

of^amathe ment.

most potent influence on the designs.

The use

much

greater

number

of 12-in. guns, of course, involved considerable increase in

;

weight of armament

five

armoured stations had

to be provided for
;

the ten guns, as against two such stations in earlier ships

to secure large arcs of horizontal

in order

command

for

more numerous heavy

guns, some of

them were placed

at greater heights than heretofore,

and

this fact necessitated increase in the

weight of barbettes and pro-

tecting armour.

On

the other hand, there was a saving in weight

by an abandonment of the secondary armament and of the battery or turret armour used to protect it but, after allowing for this fact the adoption of single-calibre big-gun armaments was necessarily accompanied by a large proportionate increase in weight. In all
;

ship-designs the principles are recognised that increase in the load

to be carried at a given

speed must involve an increase which

is

many

times greater in the displacement, and that as the

maximum
In the

speed to be attained becomes higher, the proportion of the increase

in displacement to
tlie

increase in load will

become

greater.

Dreadnoughts, therefore, the cumulative

effect of

higher speed and

126
greater load of

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

armament and protective armour was by the naval architect.
the
necessity
to

serious

and had

to be provided for
Effects

upon
design.

Furthermore, this radical change in the principal armament

carried with
it

provide, below

each heavy-gun

station, large hold-spaces for

magazines and shell rooms, as well as

accommodation for the machinery required to work the heavy guns, ammunition hoists and other appliances requiring adequate protection. In addition (as will be seen on reference to Plates 3 and
for
9, Part II.) the dispositions of the heavy guns adopted in the Dreadnought and Invincibles involved the necessity for placing some of the heavy-gun stations with their ammunition spaces and machinery near the central portions of the length, where engines, boilers and coal bunkers were necessarily situated. Obviously, this arrangement made it much more difficult than it had been in preceding ships to provide efficiently for the stowage and transport of coal, for easy communications between engine-rooms and stokeholds, and for safe and efficient working of the propelling apparatus. This feature was important, but the main effect of the necessity for

greater hold-space (for magazines,

lation

etc.),

concurrently with the instal-

apparatus required for the attainment of the higher speeds, was seen in the imperative demand
propelling

of

more powerful
for a

which arose

considerable increase of length.

Breadth had to
stability.

be increased in order to ensure satisfactory conditions of

Draught of water could not be increased to any great extent without inconvenience and limitation of possible range of action. Experience had led to the general adoption, in the largest classes of British warships, of maximum normal draughts ranging from 26 ft. to 27 ft. and so far as the normal draughts of the first Dreadnoughts were concerned this condition was observed. In regard to deep-load draughts, however, precedent was not followed, and, in consequence
of the

been

new departure in this respect, misleading comparisons have made between the Dreadnoughts and their predecessors. This
disposition of the

important fact will be illustrated hereafter.

Positions of guns.

The
is

heavy guns in the Dreadnought (Plate

3)

a modification of a system which had long been used, but was

eventually abandoned, by the French Navy, in which four heavy guns were mounted each in a separate armoured station one on the centre-line of the deck forward, another on the centre-line aft, and one on each broadside. The fifth station in the Dreadnought is placed on the centre-line between the engine and boiler rooms the foremost

station
of

is

raised a deck higher than the other four stations, this pair
firing
it

guns

over a high forecastle.

In the

official

description

of the ship

was remarked that these arrangements were selected

CHARACTERISTICS OP DREADNOUGHTS.
" in order to give the ship

127

good sea-going qualities and to increase the

command

of the forward guns."

The same description stated that

guns could be fired on either broadside and that four or possibly six 12-in. guns could be fired simultaneously ahead or adding that " whilst it is recognised that broadside fire is astern " held to be the most important in a battleship, all-round fire is also considered of great importance, since it lies in the power of an enemy to force an opponent, who is anxious to engage, to fight an end-on
" eight 12-in.
;

action."

This last assertion has been challenged by some of the highest

;

authorities on naval tactics

and, in later designs for British ships,

the disposition of the heavy guns has been changed in a sense which
increases greatly the predominance of broadside
fire

all

the guns

being

made

available over large arcs of horizontal training on both

broadsides.

In the In\'incibles (Plate 9) the four heavy-gun stations are differently disposed, the arrangement embodying a combination of
the two centre-line positions at the
in preceding battleships, with

bow and

stern generally adopted

and en

two stations placed nearly amidsliips was the fashion in " central citadel " battleships Three of the four stations were built about thirty years earlier. placed a deck higher than in preceding ships the fourth (after) pair of guns fired over the upper deck, and were placed at the usual height. It was considered possible to fire six guns directly ahead or astern the same number of guns commanded large arcs of training
echelon, as
; ;

on either broadside, and the remaining pair could,

fired

if

required, be

over limited arcs of

command on

the broadside opposite to that

on which the station containing them was placed.

In both types the " anti-torpedo-boat guns " were of small calibre, " It was considered necessary to and without armour protection.

them as widely as possible from one another so that the whole of them shall not be disabled by one or two heavy shells." In the Dreadnoughts there are twenty-four 3-in. guns in the Invincibles, The King Edward class had been armed with sixteen 4-in. guns. fourteen 3-in. guns for similar work, and the ten 6-in. guns she carried were also available. The Lord Nelson had carried twenty-four 3-in.
separate
;

anti-torpedo guns, and was also

in six turrets.

armed with ten

9 2-in. guns carried

brief statement will suffice in regard to the changes

made

in The quesh^gf^t-

the distribution of the hull armour of the Dreadnought and Invincibles

from the corresponding distribution in the battleships which immediately preceded both systems are admirably illustrated in Plates 3,
;

age."

4,

For about three-fourths the length from the bow, the Dreadnought's side armour extends vertically from 5 ft. below
9,

and

Part

II.

128

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

main deck, which is about 9 ft. The upper part of this water-line region is protected amidships by 8-in. armour for about half its depth from the main deck, and by a lower belt of armour having a maximum
above the water-line.
thickness
of 11 in. at the upper

the normal load draught up to the

half tapering to about 7

in.

at

Towards the bow the thicknesses are gradually diminished down to 6 in. For about one-fourth of the total length of the vessel, reckoning from the stern, the side armour is 4 in. thick. Advocates of the new type at first insisted strongly on the great advantages attaching to the side armour being extended throughout the length much was said in condemnation of the " soft ends " of
the lower edge.
;

preceding British battleships

doned.

but that position has since been aban-

On

the other hand, in descriptions of the Dreadnought and

Invincibles attention was not

drawn

" to the fact that the " sinkage

from normal
predecessors.

to

deep-load

draught in the new types was extra-

ordinarily great, as compared with the corresponding sinkage in their

This difference in design seriously affected the relative

efficiency of the protection given

by

side

stability of the

two

types.

Eventually

it

armour to the buoyancy and became known that, owing

from normal to deep-load draughts, their armour was wholly under water when the Dreadnoughts When the ships were upright and Invincibles were fully laden. and at rest in still water, the top of the 8-in. side armour was then only about 4 ft. above water. Above the side armour throughout the length, the sides (as usual) were formed of thin steel plates, and were destitute of armour protection. The distribution of side armour in preceding battlesliips of the Lord Nelson or King Edward classes (see Plate 4) is essentially different, and in these vessels the areas of the sides above water protected by armour are much greater than in the new types. In the earlier ships the side armour is carried
thickest side
to the height of the upper deck for a considerable length amidships, where the breadth of the ship is greatest whereas in the Dreadnought there is no corresponding protection of the upper works.
;

to their great " sinkage "

Consequently those portions of the thin sides can be riddled at the

longest ranges by projectiles fired from the lightest guns which would

be used in
the

fleet actions.

Not only were armour-protected

of

areas of
as

above-water

portions

the

new

types

greatly reduced

compared with the corresponding areas in preceding vessels but the disparity was increased by the greater sinkage of the new types from normal to deep-load draught. The maintenance of stability and Dreadnoughts, when their sides have been battered by buoyancy in the projectiles, was thus made inferior to that of their predecessors and the consequent risks were accentuated by the fact that in most foreign
;

INTERNAL SUBDIVISION.
battleships,
built*

129

subsequently to

disposition of side

the Dreadnought, the earlier armour has been retained in association with a

powerful secondary armament of quick-firing guns.

Part
II. will illustrate this

Eeference to

the plans of French, German, American, and Japanese battleships in

statement.

One

feature of the

protection

given to the
:

officially described in

atten- internal tion has been given to safeguarding the ship from destruction from armour,
"

1906 in the following terms

Dreadnought Special

was

Bulkheads

under-water explosion.
the

All the main transverse bulkheads below

Lifts

main deck

are unpierced except for the purpose of leading pipes

and other special arrangements are provided to give access to the various compartments." So far as the maintenance of the integrity of water-tight bulkheads was concerned, this was a fresh attempt on well-worn lines but the former attempts, both in the Eoyal Navy and in the Mercantile Marine, had been followed by a reversion to the plan of having openings in bulkheads at a low level throughout the engine rooms and stokeholds. This result had followed upon actual experience, and was a consequence of events which showed that, unless free and easy communications were maintained, risks of other accidents, perhaps as serious as the risk of foundering, had to be faced. Naval architects always prefer
or wires conveying power.
;

to

avoid

openings in watertight partitions, but

fitting

it

is

possible

to

minimise risks by

which can be closed rapidly and only opened when passage for and aft becomes requisite. From unofficial sources, however, it soon became known that the first sentence in the passage above quoted really included a new departure
watertight doors
in the shape of " internal armour," designed to protect the vitals of

the ship from injuries resulting from the driving in of debris

when

submarine mine or torpedo caused an

it

effective explosion.

At

the time

was considered doubtful by many persons whether or not this The plan had been previously applied on a large scale in the Cesarewitch and other Kussian ships, but in tlie Dreadnought it was only used to a limited extent. In some of lier successors, as will be noted hereafter, it was applied more extensively. Now it has gone out of fashion. this connection it is proper to note that the weights of heavy Higher In guns, gun-mountings, barbette and shell-armour in the Dreadnought gravity.
system was likely to prove successful.
are not only

much

greater than those in earlier battleships, but are

placed higher above the normal water-line.

It is true that these heights are sensibly lessened by the large " siiikage " from normal to

deep-load drauglits which occurs in the Dreadnought, but they always

tlie

remain considerable, and as a consequence the centre of gravity of Dreadnoughts is relatively higher than that of tlie earh'er types.
K

130

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

influence

This fact has a great

stability " of the

on
it

tlie

comparative

"range of

two types, and

necessitated an increase in the

beam to draught of water in the Dreadnoughts. For example, the Dreadnought, with a normal draught of water of 26^ ft., has a breadth of 82 ft., and the King Edwards, with 26| ft. draught, have a breadth of 78 ft. The Dreadnought must, therefore, have
proportion of

been made a

stiffer

ship than her predecessors,

;

them

in range of stability

oscillation

when

rolling

if she was to equal and as a consequence her period of would prove less, and her quickness of
;

motion been

anticipation has been realised has it by actual trials at sea that under average conditions the Dreadnought and her successors are not equal to
greater.

This

demonstrated

earlier types in steadiness of gun-platforms.

Long experience has

also proved that the heights at

The
of^speed!

which the heavy guns are carried in the pre-Dreadnoughts are amply sufficient to secure the power of fighting these guns efficiently, even in heavy weather. Increase in the height above water at which guns are mounted may obviously be carried too far, having regard to all the consequences involved therein. In regard to the value of the higher speeds with which the Dreadnoughts and Invincibles were endowed authorities differ widely. The official view was expressed as follows " The greater the
:

mobility the greater the chance of obtaining a strategic advantage.

This mobility

is

represented by speed and fuel endurance.

Superior
this

speed also gives the power of choosing the range.

To gain

advantage the speed designed for the Dreadnought is 21 knots." The speed trials were made at normal draught, and the speed
attained

was

about

knots
It

higher than had been reached by

does

preceding battleships.
that

has since been demonstrated conclusively

in

such

a difference
effect in

speed

not and

cannot exercise
fleet

any important

determining the range at which a

action

will be fought.

As

to

the strategic advantages of superior speed

lies

much may
this paper.

be

said,

but such a discussion

outside the scope of

For the Invincibles the

25 knots
;

maximum

trial

speed was

fixed

at

the speed attained at normal draught was about 26 knots,

showing an excess of about 2 knots above the trial speeds of preceding armoured cruisers. No British armoured cruiser of earlier date had been armed with guns exceeding 9 2 in. in calibre but the Invincible class was designed to carry eight 12-in. guns in four armoured positions. A few foreign cruisers had been armed with four 10-in. The step or 12-in. guns, in addition to a good secondary armament. taken in the Invincible class was therefore most not.ible it involved the creation of vessels which were originally classed as armoured

INCREASED DISPLACEMENTS.
cruisers but

131 and are

of a

were obviously intended

designated

for the line-of-battle,

now

officially

battle-cruisers.

The

installation

heavier armament,

concurrently with the

provision

of propelling

machinery of 43,000 H.P. an increase of 40 per cent, above the engine-power of the swiftest armoured cruisers of earlier date
necessarily involved a large increase in length

the Invincibles.

Their armour protection

and displacement was weak relatively

stations.

for

to

that of contemporary battleships, especially in that section of the

defence which was devoted to the heavy

differed,

gun

Opinions

and

still differ,

in regard to the policy of building such large

and costly

they are primarily intended to take part in

and of endowing them with very high speed, if fleet actions. There is, however, no reason for supposing that smaller vessels could have been produced which would have fulfilled the governing conditions of speed, armament, defence and fuel-supply laid down by the Admiralty for the guidance of the Director of Naval Construction and Ms staff.
cruisers,

Keeping

this fact in view, it will be of interest to consider

what

were the actual increases of dimensions and displacement of Dreadnoughts laid down in 1905-6, as compared with their immediate
predecessors.

the

The Dreadnought King Edwards

;
;

herself
in

was 65 ft. longer and 4 ft. broader than Dreadnormal draught of water she was nearly and^King

in her Navy List displacement (corresponding to the Edwards, normal draught) there was an increase of 1550 tons. This normal draught, however, does not furnish a true basis of comparison between

identical

the types

because (as stated above) the differences between normal and deep-load draughts, or " sinkage," is much greater in tlie Dread;

nought than in the King Edwards or any preceding British battleships. There is official authority for the statement that the Dreadnought when fully laden, complete for sea with fuel, ammunition and stores, draws 31 ft. 6 in. and the fact can be verified by
;

personal

inspection

of the
is,

vessel.

The "sinkage" from normal

5
;

draught to deep load

ft. the displacement corresponding to the deep draught is about 22,200 tons. For the King Edwards the sinkage is only about one-third as great (about 20 in.)

therefore,

and the deep-load displacement is 17,500 tons. On this basis, therefore, which is obviously a fairer one than comparison between Navy
the Dreadnought draws 3 ft. more water and 4700 tons more than the King Edward. Instead of being about 9i^ per cent, heavier than the King Edward, as would appear from a comparison of the Navy List displacements, the Dreadnought
List displacements,

weighs

is

nearly 27 per cent, iieavier

when both

vessels are fully laden.

K 2

132

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

cruisers the increase in

As compared with preceding armoured

length of the Invincibles was 30
ft.,

and

in the

Navy

List displace

ment nearly 2700 tons. In this comparison also there is no allowance made for greater sinkage in the later types, and their deep-load displacements would show an enormously greater excess over those of
the earlier vessels, but
it is

unnecessary to give actual

figures.

Perhaps a better idea of the advances in size made in 1905-6 may be obtained by comparing them with the total progress made from the first sea-going British armoured ships (Warrior class,
ordered in 1859) to the King Edwards ordered in 1901-2. The Warrior was 380 ft. long and 9200 tons displacement at 26 ft. 9 in. draught; the King Edwards are 425 ft. long, 16,350 tons displace-

ment

at the

an increase in length of 45
in length of 65

same draught, and 17,500 tons when fully laden showing ft. and in deep-load displacement of
;

8300 tons during a period of forty-two years, as against an increase ft. and in deep-load displacement of 4700 tons in the case of the Dreadnought. There can be but made at one step
one opinion as to the boldness of the new departure
;

there were,

and
Influence

still are,

great differences of opinion as to

its

wisdom.
of Dread-

The lead given by Great Britain in the construction

upon
foreign construction.

noughts was soon followed by other countries, so far as the adoption

of a large number of guns of large calibre for the principal armament In most cases, however, a powerful secondary was concerned. armament was also provided and protected by armour. The change in principal armament was accompanied by an increase in speed in most cases, and, for reasons explained above, there was a considerable Germany, for example, increase in both length and displacement. passed in 1906-7 from battleships about 400 ft. long, 73 ft. broad, with displacement of 13,200 tons, at 25 ft. draught, to the Nassau class, which have a length of 450 ft., are 89 ft. broad, and of 18,200 tons The trial speed of the displacement, at 26 ft. 9 in. draught. Nassaus was increased about a knot, and twelve 11 -in. guns were mounted in six positions on each ship instead of four 11-in. guns mounted in two positions on their predecessors {see Plate 34). The secondary armament was somewhat reduced in power in the Nassaus, but was still of a formidable nature and well protected by side armour, which also strengthened the defence of the stability of the

ships

when

subjected to attacks by artillery.

battleships of the United States

The

first

armed on the

single-

calibre big-gun principle, were identical in length, displacement, and

speed with their predecessors

parison can be
this

consequently, a more simple comStated briefly, the Michigan, of

made and

a better idea formed of the real effect of

change in principal armament.

LATER DREADNOUGHTS.
450
I't.

133

and 16,000 tons, was capable of carrying an armament of eight 12-iu. guns mounted in four armoured positions; in addition she carried twenty-two guns of 3-in. calibre
in length, SO^i
ft.

breath,

The same length and displaceshe was armed with ment, and attained about equal speed on trial four 12-in. guns in two armoured positions, eight 8-in. guns mounted in four armoured turrets, twelve 7-in. guns in an armoured battery and also carried twenty 3-in. guns, with no armour protection, as a Abolition of the 8-in. and 7-in. defence against torpedo vessels.
(without armour protection), for defence against torpedo vessels.
Louisiana, which preceded her, was of the
;

guns, and the

therefore,
to

for their protection, made it possible, Eeference to number of heavy guns. Plates 71 and 72 will make the comparison better understood, and will show that all the heavy guns were mounted at the middle In line of the Michigan and made available on both broadsides.

armour assigned
the

double

addition,

two of the turrets were placed

at a higher level

than the

neighbouring turrets, and the guns contained therein could be fired

directly ahead or astern over the adjacent turret.

This disposition

of the

armament was
it.

novel,

boldness in adopting
the system
successful.

had

been
the

and American designers showed great The venture was not made, however, until tested experimentally and proved to be
figures
it

From
class

foregoing

will

be noted that the

to

Michigan

were made broader in proportion

draught than

the Louisiana, in order to secure satisfactory conditions of stability,

and that the armoured area of the sides above water was greatly reduced, thus lessening the protection given to the maintenance
of stability
less

when damaged

in action.

The Michigans have proved

steady gun-platforms than their predecessors, for the reasons

stated above.

Dreadnoughts and Post-Dkeadnoughts.

armoured ships since 1905 has taken place along lines, starting, respectively, from the Dreadnought, classed as a battleship, and the Invincible, originally classed as an armoured cruiser, but now officially designated a battle-cruiser. The latter class are superior in speed to battleships, but inferior in These armour defence and in the number of their heavy guns.
of British
battle-cruisers,
it is

The development

Developclasses,

said, are

intended to act as the swift divisions

of fleets

but

many

high authorities on naval strategy and tactics

of exceptionally high speed

take exception to the fundamental ideas on which the designs have

been based.

The value
its
co.st.

is

especially

doubted although
dimensions and

attainment has involved great additions to

In

endeavouring to trace the development

134

THE KAVAL ANNUAL.

used as
far as possible.

of each of these classes official data will be

Where

official

data are not available, because of recent endeavours to

preserve secrecy in regard to the characteristics of ships building,

which are believed to be approximately The appearance of the correct although not officially sanctioned. 1912-13 Navy Estimates for has fortunately added much information For purposes of and has cleared away some misapprehensions. comparison between Dreadnoughts and post-Dreadnoughts it will be " assumed, as seems reasonable, that the same amount of " sinkage has been allowed for in their designs. On this assumption it will not be necessary to consider the relative deep-load draughts and displacements of the ships, as was done above when comparing pre-Dreadnoughts with Dreadnoughts. Normal draughts and Navy
particulars will be given

List displacements will be used throughout unless otherwise stated.

Larger
^^^^'

The
ships
is

first fact to

be noted respecting " post-Dreadnought " battle-

that their

maximum

speeds on contract trials have been

maintained at 21 knots, the estimated speed of the Dreadnought.

The number of heavy guns has remained the same as in the Dreadnought namely ten and these guns have been mounted in pairs. The disposition of the heavy -gun stations adopted iu the Dreadnought was repeated in six of her successors, laid down in the period 1907-8 three later ships (Neptune class) have their heavy guns disposed on and in subsequent battleships a different system {see Plate 2)

(Orion class) laid down in 1909-10,

(see

still

another disposition

is

adopted

guns mounted in the Dreadnought and her three immediate successors were 45 calibres long the next six post-Dreadnoughts (up to and including the Neptunes) carry 12-in. In guns, 50-calibres in length, and of greater weight and power.
Plate
1).

The

12-in.

the Orion class 13"5-in. guns, 45 calibres in length, were introduced.

This type of heavy gun

is

understood to be

still

favoured,

im-

provements having been made in the designs of later weapons.

Kumours

are afloat to the effect that

still

larger calibres will be

introduced.

abandoning the which was adopted about fifteen years ago after full consideration, and in the light of actual experience with 13'5-in. During the long period while the 12-in. and 16'25-in. guns. calibre was in use the designs for successive types of 12-in. guns had been greatly improved, and they had been adopted as the principal weapons mounted in all battleships, except those of the It is a German Navy, where 11-in. guns had been preferred. significant fact that about the time when Germany was moving on to the 12-in. calibre the Admiralty should have adopted 13*5-iu. guns. In this paper it is not proposed to deal with the arguments
Opinions
differ as to the desirability of

12-in. calibre,

POST-DREADNOUGHTS.
for or against increase of calibre.

135
authorities have
is

The responsible

decided to

make

that change, and our present task

to

show how

great has been the effect

produced thereby upon the sizes of ships

Variations
^^
esign.

and their

cost.

In respect of armour protection to hulls and heavy -gun stations,

the arrangements described for the Dreadnought were practically

adhered to in her three immediate successors (Bellerophon

1906)
;

class,

they were sensibly modified in the six battleships which

followed (St. Vincent

and were radically Internal armour was employed to a altered in the Orion class. limited extent in the Dreadnought; it was applied much more extensively in some of her early successors, but its use appears to have been abandoned in the latest post-Dreadnoughts. In the designs of recent battleships there have been unceasing and Neptune
classes),

variations from

year to year.

Each shipbuilding programme has

incomplete.

introduced another class, differing in important details from vessels

laid

down

previously and

still
is

Continual watchfulness
;

undoubtedly desirable improvements of all kinds should be adopted if substantial advantages accrue therefrom but while these principles are accepted, a review of the
of the progress of invention
;

numerous changes made during the last seven years makes it difticult to understand why some alterations have been made and why other
arrangements have not been adopted sooner, seeing that their general
character was well

previously recognised and

known and their possible advantages had been made use of by other countries. Whatever
of the

may

be the explanation

action

taken,

there has

been a

continuous and considerable growth of dimensions which will

be briefly illustrated.

now

The Bellerophon class were laid down about the date when the Dreadnought was first commissioned their design must have been completed before any experience was gained with the Dreadnought. The feature in which they difiered most from her the extended use
;

armour as a defence against under-water explosions could not in any case have been influenced by peace-experience with the pioneer vessel had she been completed and tried. It was obviously a feature whose value could only be decided by exhaustive experiments. It was true that French and liussiau designers favoured internal armour, but that was no reason for adopting it in British ships unless its value had been demonstrated. Yet it was decided to add considerable weights of internal armour in the Bellerophons, and in consequence their draught of water was made
of internal

6 in. greater than that of the Dreadnought,

was increased by

7U(J

tons.

and the displacement At the date when the use of this

136
internal
.

THE KaVal ANKUaL.

armour was ordered events had occurred which threw doubts upon its value subsequent experiments have confirmed these doubts, and the system has since been abandoned, A more deliberate procedure, based upon thorough and representative experiments, must have secured better results and increased economy.
;

" SoftpQgj

In the next post-Dreadnoughts in point of date (the

a radical change was

St.

Vincents)

made

in

the protection of the extremities.

Dread-

became apparent to every person who visited the ships were building, but it was not noticed in most descriptions of the class. One feature in which the Dreadnought had been alleged to be greatly superior to her predecessors was the extension of her side armour to the bow and stern, where the minimum thicknesses were respectively 6 in. and 4 in. Pre-Dreadnoughts had been more lightly protected at the extremities, and advocates of the Dreadnought type were accustomed to describe them as " soft-ended " ships. The Bellerophous resembled the Dreadnought
fact
Avhile they

The

in their armour, but in the St. Vincents, for considerable lengths

bow and stern, no thick armour was fitted, and the sides were protected by steel-plating from 2 in. to 3 in. thick. In the
near the
opinion of the writer this light protection was perfectly justified

both in the wise to

St.

Vincents and in the pre-Dreadnoughts, and

it

was

make

the change in the St. Vincents.

St.

As

a matter of fact,

however, the
soft-ended as

Vincent

class

and

later

post-Dreadnoughts are as

the

earlier

battleships,

"which

were strongly con-

demned on the ground that they were inferior in protection to the Dreadnought. The St. Vincents were made 650 tons heavier than
the

Bellerophous, being

10

ft.

longer, 2

ft.

wider, and

1350 tons

greater in displacement than

the Dreadnought.

These ships also

required machinery of 1500

greater horse-power than the Dreadnought in order to attain the speed of 21 knots.

Annaments.

^be

Neptune

class,

designed

in

1908,

is

chiefly

notable

because of the
stations (Plate

new
2).

departure in the disposition of the heavy-gun

The two central

of

turrets are placed en echelon,

similarly

to

those

the
;

Invincibles,

instead

of

abreast
is

as

in

preceding Dreadnoughts
so that the guns

the second turret from the stern

raised

may

fire

directly astern over the after turret,

available over large arcs of training on either broadside, as

and be had been

All the

previously arranged in the American battleship Michigan.

heavy guns could be used on each broadside, the

broadside.

fire

of two of

them

being restricted to comparatively limited arcs of training on one

In this way the Dreadnought disposition of guns was improved upon, and the predominant value of broadside fire was Fifty calibre 12-in. guns were mounted, and more fully recognised.

ABMAMENT
as

QUESTIONS.
the

137

dimeusions were raised to 510 ft. in length, 85 ft. in breadth, 20,000 tons displacement (normal The draught), with engines of 25,000 horse-power for 21 knots. extremities were lightly armoured, and the side-armour was carried
the result
of

various changes

only to the main deck.

Next

in date

came the Orion

class, the first of

which was

laid

In these vessels, as already stated, ten 13-5-in, guns were mounted in pairs, and all the stations were Two of the turrets were carried at greater placed on the centre-line.

down towards

the end of 1909.

heights than the others

the arrangement of the American battleship

Michigan being followed in that respect.

available over large arcs of training

All the guns were thus

on both broadsides. These made features will be better understood by reference to Plate 1, which also illustrates the considerable enlargement of the areas protected by
side-armour in the Orion
side
class,

and the greater

vertical extension of the

armour as compared with preceding vessels of the Dreadnought

It

be noted that the extremities of the Orion are These changes in armament and armour necessarily involved large additions to the load which the Orion class had to carry, as well as larger requirements for hold-space to accommodate
type.
will

unarmoured.

magazines and shell rooms.

to

In consequence, the length was increased

to

545

ft.

and the breadth

89

ft.

At
is

the normal draught (27^

ft.)

the corresponding displacement

22,500 tons, and

engines of

27,000 horse-power are required to drive the vessels at 21 knots.

In the programme of shipbuilding for 1910-11 provision was Secondary

made for battleships of now completing afloat.

published, but
it is

the

King George V.

Official figures for

some of which are the class have not been

class,

^^"^^*

understood that these vessels closely resemble

It
is

the Orion class in armour and principal armament.

alleged,

however, that the secondary armament of 6-in. guns will be restored,

and that armour protection n)ay be given

principal dimensions are said to be
:

to

these
ft.
;

guns.

The
knots)

Length, 555
in

breadth, about

90

ft.;

displacement,
If

24,000

tons;
are

horse-power (for

21

27,000.

these

particulars

approximately

correct

they

indicate the

ships since 1905

magnitude of the growth dimensions of British battleand they show that, after long controversy, the
;

necessity has been tacitly

admitted for that better protection of

which was recommended as soon as details of the Dreadnought's design were disclosed. If it should prove true that a powerful and protected secondary armament forms part of

buoyancy and

stability

the design, there will be additional reason for congratulation.

No

particulars are available of the designs for four battleships

included in the

Navy Estimates

for

1911-12, and now in early stages

338
of construction.

THE KaVAL AKKUAL.

Past practice,

however, makes

it

probable that
that question

there will be a further increase in dimensions, and the question

naturally arises

Whereunto

will battleships

grow

To

the

writer

has

attempted a reply elsewhere, and will make no

answer here.
Battle-

Turning to British post-Dreadnought battle-cruisers, a brief statement of their development will suffice. In this connection

The three by the Indefatigable, which was made 25 ft. longer, about 18 in. broader, and 1500 tons heavier. The armaments were identical there was little difference in the armour protection, but the two mid-ship 12-in. gun stations (en echelon) were placed further apart, and larger arcs of horizontal command were thus secured. The engines had to
will
find

readers

Plates

and 9

of

much

interest.

Invincibles of 1905-6 were followed, early in 1909,

develop 43,000 horse-power, as against 41,000 horse-power in the

Invincibles, the estimated speeds being practically equal.

In the next battle-cruiser, the Lion, laid down within a year of

the Indefatigable, there was an enormous advance in
particulars for the vessel are
size.

Official

now

available,

and are in agreement

are
:

with figures previously published. Length, 660 ft. breadth, 88 ft. 6

;

The principal features

in.
;

normal draught

of water,

28

ft.;

displacement, 26,350 tons; estimated horse-power, 70,000;

speed,

estimated
a

28 knots

sixteen 4-in. guns.

armament, eight 13 5-in. guns, and The side armour is said (unofficially) to^have
;

maximum
to

thickness of about 9
6
in.

in.

in the region of the waterthis

belt,

line,

be about

thick above

and

to

rise

to

the height of the upper deck for a considerable length amidships.

The extremities are unarmoured. All the heavy-gun stations are placed on the ceutre-line, and the eight guns can command large arcs of horizontal training on both broadsides. The Princess Eoyal is a sister-ship to the Lion; the Queen Mary, launched in March, 1912, is said to have a displacement of 27,000 tons, and it is alleged Whether these that the Tiger (just ordered) will be still larger.
reports prove true or not, there
is

now

official

authority for the statesurpass contemporary

ment
100

that the
in

latest

British battle-cruisers

The Lion is cost. King George V., and about 2400 tons heavier; her engines can develop on trial more than twice the power, and her principal armament is less powerful to the extent of two IS* 5-in. guns. The armour defence although relatively weaker is still conbattleships
ft.

dimensions, displacement and

longer than the

siderable

the cost, according to the latest

Navy

Estimates, excluding

guns,
of

ammunition and reserves, is nearly dG150,000 greater than that The the battleships, and approaches two millions sterling.

PROPULSION AND FUEL.

l39

propelling and other machinery are estimated to cost half a million

sum which
ligures

closely approaches the cost of first-class British battle-

ships built thirty years before the Lion

was

laid

down.

In face of

such as these,

it

appears to be well worth considering afresh

to the effect that

the opinion expressed by competent authorities

such high speed

is

not of great advantage in ships whose primary

fleets.
Boilers,
'

duty

is to

serve as units in
trials of

Contract

warships extend over a few hours, and are made

engines and boilers in perfect condition, and^"^ a large force of skilled stokers, and picked coal or oil-fuel. The bunkers,

with everything at

its best,

development of

power

from

given

set

of

.boilers

on

trial

consequently exceeds greatly the power which can be realised over

long periods, under working conditions at sea.
to be

"When a long run has trimming and transport of coal from bunkers to boiler rooms also becomes of great importance whereas on short runs it has little, if any, influence on the develop-

made

at liigh speed, the question of

ment
occur.

of steam.

With

oil-fuel, of course,

the latter difficulties do not

types,

In warships of

Dreadnought

wherein armament

requirements must predominate, a number of magazines and shell-

rooms

for heavy guns have to be placed in the neighbourhood of The problem of fuel transport is consemachinery and boilers. quently and necessarily more difficult than it is in swift ocean-going passenger steamers, which are built primarily to perform regular voyages at maximum speeds, and have the central hold-spaces left absolutely free for the accommodation of engines, boilers and bunkers. In these vessels also the provision of boiler power is

relatively greater than in warships, the conditions of stoking are

easier,

and regularity of performance tends to increased efficiency. For these and other reasons, which need not be mentioned, it is well recognised by all who are familiar with the subject that the high
trial-speeds of warships do

not represent their average sea-speeds

over long distances

and that those trial-speeds are not comparable

ocean-going passenger
steamers.

with the average sea-speeds of

Persons not well informed have failed to understand these differences

and have dwelt upon the value of swift battle-cruisers as commerce

protectors, especially against the raids of auxiliary cruisers

drawn

in

time of war from- the Mercantile Marine.

large

The idea

of

employing

on such a service hardly requires serious discussion Ijut as the statement has been repeatedly made it may not be out of place to remark that there would be small prospect of success even for the fastest cruisers if employed on the
Ijattle-cruisers
;

and costly

proposed

service.

Comparing the \Aon,

it is

for

examj)le,

with

the

Mauretania, of the Cunard Line,

found that the power developed

140

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

trial

on contract

by the former does not

differ

much from

that which

enables the Mauretauia to cross the Atlantic at an average speed of

26 knots in favourable conditions of weather.

The Mauretania

is

100

ft.

longer than the Lion, of deeper draught and

much

greater

displacement, yet she carries only a moderate load (cargo, passengers

and

stores) in addition to the large coal

service.

supply necessary for the Two-thirds of the total length of the Mauretania are given

up wholly to propelling and auxiliary machinery, boilers and fuel. The Lion, on the other hand, has to carry a heavy burden of armour and armament, to which there is nothing corresponding in the mercantile steamer and considerable spaces in the hold are occupied by magazines and shell-rooms. Under these adverse conditions the
;

utmost

skill of the

naval architect has to be exercised in order to

;

limitations imposed

human skill, under the and defensive features of the Lion, can endow her with steaming power at as high a speed and
achieve the results above described

but no

by the

offensive

over as great a distance

by the Mauretania. Obviously the proper method of dealing with the operations of
to that possessed
is to

equal

auxiliary cruisers belonging to other countries

employ British

auxiliary cruisers.
for the Service,

Our Mercantile Marine

all

is

rich in vessels suitable

and

requirements can be met, provided wdse pre-

vision
Foreign
progress.

made during peace. The Tabular Statements for War-fleets contained in Part II. of this volume give information as to the progress made in foreign
is

exercised and suitable arrangements are

navies during the post-Dreadnought period, and

it is

unnecessary to

make more than

a brief allusion thereto.

It

is,

however, singular to

note that the South American Eepublics have the largest battleships
in process of building at the present time.

Two

vessels

now comft.

pleting afloat in the United States for Argentina are 585

long,

and of nearly 28,000 tons displacement, with turbine machinery of about 40,000 H.I\, and an estimated trial speed of Fully laden, the displacement is 30,000 tons, and 22^ knots. the draught will not exceed 30 ft. The armament includes twelve 12-in. guns, twelve 6-in. and sixteen 4-in. This is a long step away from, the Dreadnought, and it was made in about five years. Chile
98
ft.

broad,

is

said to be building vessels of equal size in this country

Brazil

has built here two Dreadnoughts of nearly 20,000 tons, and proposed
to build another of 32,000 tons, but has re-arranged her

programme

and decided on a vessel as large as the Argentina ships. The United States are building battleships 575 ft. long, more than 95 ft. broad, of 27,500 tons displacement on 28^ ft. draught, carrying ten 14-in. guns and a powerful secondary battery of 5-in. guns. These ships are exceptionally well defended. For 70 per cent, of the

"GOING ONE BIGGER."

length the side armour will extend from 8
9
ft.

141
6 in. below water to
in.,

ft.

above, and have a uniform thickness of 13^

except for a short

distance below water to the lower edge.

Transverse armour bulkheads

of equal thickness will be built across the ship

where the side armour by

armour will be fitted near the extremities. The heavy gun

ends.

No

thick

for the

remainder of the length

stations are to be protected

13-in. armour.

Two

strong steel protective decks will complete the

the total weight of the armour will be
class

hull protection.

It is said

about 7000 tons.

Germany has the Kaiser

on the stocks or

completing afloat

564

ft.

long, 95

ft.

wide, with 24,100 tons displace-

ment on 27 J

ft. draught, armed with ten 12-in. guns, fourteen 5'9-in. and twelve 3*4-in. The battleship cruiser Moltke last completed is 610 ft. long, 96| ft. broad, and of 23,000 tons displacement at 27 ft.

draught.

Japan, in the Kongo class of battle-cruiser,

is

closely

following the characteristics of the Lion, and has reached 27,000 tons
in displacement with

heavy guns of

14-in. calibre.

It has

recently

been stated that a battleship of 30,000 tons will next be laid down. France is content with about 23,500 tons.

From
of

these facts

it

will be seen that all the navies of the

world

are busily engaged in the

game of "going one bigger" in the designs post-Dreadnoughts, that game having been started with the

Dreadnought and Invincibles, and widely advertised as the " winning game." In the matter of secondary armaments, the British lead has not been followed nor has the system of hull armour adopted in the Dreadnought been widely adopted, the majority of foreign battleships and armoured cruisers having greater proportionate protected areas.
;

In this respect our latest types have come into line with foreign
practice,

which

is

really a perpetuation of former British practice in

pre-Dreadnoughts.
stations

The American
heights
of

disposition

of the
is

and

relative

adjacent

turrets

heavy gun becoming

the greater Beam and
^'^^ug^*'-

universal.

An

outstanding feature in

all

recent battleships
It has

is

proportion of breadth to draught of water.

been explained

that this change has been imperatively required in order that the
vessels

may

possess a reasonable range of stability

tlie

and

it

was long

ago pointed out that

relative increase of

beam must involve

of gun-platform.
is

quickness of rolling motion

and

less

steadiness

Experience has verified these anticipations.

There

good reason

for

thinking that in their periods of oscillation the largest and latest

post-Dreadnoughts closely approximate to the corresponding periods of " converted " ironclads on service in the Royal Navy forty years
ago,

which ships were notorious

for their

heavy

rolling.

The greater
tell

dimensions and weights of the modern ships will doubtless

in

142

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

favour of somewhat more moderate rolling in a sea-way; but their

relatively small periods of oscillation will render

them

liable to be set

rolling very often, as their periods approximate to the periods of

waves
inertia

occurring in ordinary conditions of sea.

of these

The great weight and

modern ships must

also tend to diminish the effect of

any

practicable bilge keels or other appliances which might be used to

secure greater steadiness.

Moreover,

it is

known

that these appliances

it

cannot sensibly lengthen the period of oscillation, and

questioned that one of the greatest difficulties in the
shooting with heavy guns
is to

will not be

way

of good

be found in an unduly quick-rolling

motion of the platform.

serious consideration

This feature of Dreadnought types deserves

fighting efficiency
is

estimated.
if

when their relative Very commonly discussions

being

of this subject proceed as

the conditions which prevail on experimental firing grounds, or

;

polygons, held good also in actions at sea

but

it

is

obvious that
Battle-

conclusions based on such reasoning must be fallacious.

practice
results
differ
is

sensibly

from those obtained on

proving

grounds, and the fact

different calibres

not difficult of explanation.

fired

When
which
to

guns of
is

and weights are

from a
is

ship,

not

only in motion through the water but

also subject

rolling

motion, their accuracy of aim and percentage of hits to rounds fired

must
Triple
turrets.

be

sensibly

influenced

essentially from the conditions

by these conditions, which which prevail on a proof-range.

differ

Another deduction from recent experience is that when eight or mounted in four or five stations on the centreline of even the longest warships, considerable difficulties have to be
ten heavy guns are
faced in regard to convenient working and habitability of bridges,
fire-control stations,
efficient navigation

and other important items connected with the and fighting of the ships. In calling attention
;

to the fact, the writer has not the least desire to criticise

indeed,

there can be no doubt that in the designs those arrangements which

appeared to be the best possible solution of an extremely

difficult

problem would be selected and caiTied out. The really important question, arising in view of what has happened and the costly
alterations

now

being

made

in certain ships, is whether or not the

condition should continue to be accepted that four or five gun stations

must be provided

for in

an individual ship.

Austrian, American and

Italian designers have adopted triple-gun turrets instead of twin-gun

in order to maintain

the full

number

of

guns while reducing the

number

of stations.
it

This change has simplified the designs in

many

ways, but

yet remains to be proved that triple-gun turrets will be as

efficient as twin-turrets in

loading and firing the guns, or that this

excessive concentration of guns in a single station does not involve

EXPENDITURE.
serious risks.

]43

Would

it

not be as well to reconsider the subject on

the basis of a sensible reduction in the total

number
?

of

heavy guns

which should be mounted

in

an individual ship

Eelative Cost of Eegent Warships.

At
shi[)

the root of all shipbuilding

cost of each unit in the Fleet, as

programmes lies finance. The well as the numbers of each class of

Finance
struotion.

required for the services contemplated as necessary in war, will

It is the business of the responsible

control the total expenditure.

authorities to decide both as to

laid

down and

to select

those

numbers and types of ships to be combinations of types which will

best utilise the total expenditure incurred.

The foregoing survey of

the last seven years has demonstrated the fact that successive types
of battleships

greater weights of

and battle-cruisers have been made larger, have carried armour and more powerful armaments, and have
It

been propelled by engines of greater power.

certain,

therefore,

that

these

successive

additions,

starting

would appear from

pre-Dreadnoughts, must have been accompanied by proportionate

increases in
first

cost

and

cost of

exact comparisons between types cannot be

official

upkeep and maintenance but made on the basis of

;

figures

for

either

actual

or

estimated

first

cost of ships.

Great fluctuations have occurred in the condition of the shipbuilding

and engineering markets during the last seven years and these fluctuations have, on the whole, tended to a considerable diminution in the outlay upon Dreadnoughts and post-Dreadnoughts as compared with what their cost would have been if built contemporaneously with pre-Dreadnoughts. In short, no fair comparison of first costs for different types qua types can be made unless they
;

are based on identical prices for labour, materials, machinery,

armour

and other items.

Some

idea of the fluctuations in prices which have occurred, in

consequence of special or temporary conditions, will be obtained from the following statements drawn from Parliamentary papers.
For the King Edwards (Imilding 1902-3) the cost per horse-power of
for the Dreadnought the corresponding was 13-7; for the Neptune (1909-10) it was 10; for the Orion 9*8; for the Lion 7*2. The price of armour per ton has also been sensibly reduced since the King Edwards were built during the period 1908-10 the cost of steel and other shipbuilding materials was low owing to tiie depressed condition of the industry. Owing to great developments in the productive power of British
;

machinery exceeded 13

cost

warship building, competition not long ago reached a point when

eminent firms are known

to

have made quotations which not merely

144

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

included no profit but did not cover the whole of their establishment
charges.

Probably the closest comparison which can be made, on the basis

of official figures of cost, is to be

found in the cases of the Britannia

(King Edward class) and the Dreadnought herself, as the two vessels The were building in Portsmouth Dockyard at the same time. Britannia was laid down in February, 1904, but not commissioned the Dreadnought was laid down in until the autumn of 1908 It is well October, 1905 and commissioned in December, 1906. known that the work on the Britannia was delayed in consequence of the preference given to the Dreadnought, and her longer period in
;

construction undoubtedly led to greater cost.

Neglecting these dis:

advantages the figures for

first

cost stand as follows

Hull,
:

armour,

machinery, gun mountings, and establishment charges

Dreadnought,
;

1,700,000; Britannia, 1,360,000. Guns: Dreadnought, 113,000 Totals: Dreadnought, 1,813,000; Britannia, Britannia, 91,000.
1,451,000.

These two ships

figures,
:

however, do not represent the total costs of the

for sea

when complete
;

they also carry ammunition and

to

ordnance stores
of armament.

while the addition of every ship

the

Fleet

necessitates a corresponding addition to the reserves of these items

In statements of cost for French, German, and other foreign warships these items are provided for and stated in Estimates. British practice differs, and the cost of guns alone is given against
each ship.

Foreign practice

is

undoubtedly

fairer in

making com-

parisons between types, especially as the costs of complete armaments in Dreadnoughts are greater than the corresponding costs for pre-

Dreadnoughts.
stand
as

On
:

this

basis

the relative

costs
;

would probably
Britannia,

follows

Dreadnought,

2,000,000

about

In other words, four Britannias could be produced for about the same total cost as three Dreadnoughts if built contemporaneously and under identical conditions. It has been stated on the
1,550,000.
hio-hest official

authority, and the statement has

first

been frequently

Dreadnought battleships put into Neptune) cost to build precisely the including and (up to commission On nine King Edwards. built have would the same sum as
reproduced, that the
eight

examination of Parliamentary Eeturns, however, it is found that in this statement no allowance has been made for ammunition, ordnance,
stores,

and

reserves.

Moreover, and

much more

important,

is

the

fact, illustrated above, that the post-Dreadnought types were built

under conditions
very low
is to
;

of the shipbuilding industry

which made prices run

that fact alone vitiates the comparison, and a fairer basis

be found in the cases of the Britannia and Dreadnought.

DREADNOUGHT FINANCE.
By
the same
official

145
of

authority the public was iufornied that the Costs

upkeep.

annual upkeep of the eight Dreadnoughts involved a cost 50,000 It was not less than the corresponding cost for nine King Edwards.

whether or not allowance was made in this comparison for the excess in annual outlay for maintenance and repairs which would be incurred on the Dreadnoughts. However this may be, and even if the group of King Edwards annually cost 50,000 more than

made

clear

the group of Dreadnoughts

same

total

sum, including complete armaments from under-water

attacks,

which could be actually produced for the may be reasonably

it

argued, taking the risks of naval actions into account and the serious

dangers

arising

that

the increase

of

numbers of King Edwards which could have been secured for ships of the same cost constituted a suflicient reason for incurring the
greater annual cost of their upkeep.
It is

most desirable in the public

interest that fuller

and more

accurate statements in regard to the cost of the armaments of

H.M.

ships should be published than those which are at present available.

Corresponding statements appear each year for the expenditure on

each ship building, and the cost of separate items

hull and
The

armour,
cost of

machinery, gun mountings and establishment charges.

guns

is

also given, but that for the l)alance of the expenditure on the

armaments of individual ships does not appear, and it is essential to any fair comparison of types. In foreign Estimates the information
can be found.
a period

The Dreadnought and Invincibles ordered in 1905 were when prices ruled high and were pioneer vessels
According
to the

built at
of their

respective types.

Navy Estimates
first

published imguns, but

mediately after their completion, the

costs

including

ammunition and ordnance stores were respectively 1,813,000 and 1,750,000. If these vessels had been built under the same conditions as their successors of the Orion and Lion classes their costs would have been considerably less According to the Navy Estimates for 1912-13, the Orion has cost 1,919,000, and the Lion 2,068,000 inclusive of guns. These huge figures for the costs of single vessels, which may be put out of action by a single successful
excluding

under-water attack,

may

well give pause, and lead to a reconsideration

of the policy the prosecution of wldcli has involved such financial

consequences within seven years.

W. H. White.

146

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

CHAPTER

VIII.

The Tueco-Italian War.

Its

Naval Features.

Strained
relations.

Last autumn, just as the international difficulties connected with the affairs of Morocco appeared to be in a fair way of peaceful settlement, public attention was abruptly directed to the disturbed relations between Italy and Turkey, The state of tension was caused, according to the Italian official Note, by Turkish opposition to Italian enterprises in Tripoli, and to the ill-usage by the Turks of Italian subjects. For a long time Italy had occupied a privileged position in regard to the Tripolitaine province, and her notorious aspirations towards a more stable establishment of her interests appear to have excited in Turkey a nervous feeling, which found expression in the adoption of restrictions to trading of an irritating character. During the summer the Italian Government had sent to the Turkish Ministers a strong protest against this alleged illtreatment of its people in Tripoli and in some of the Red Sea ports, with a suggestion that it was most desirable remedial measures should be taken without delay. It was hoped that a better feeling might be created by friendly negotiations. Early in September, however, it was reported that the diplomatic correspondence was not proceeding satisfactorily, and several of the Italian newspapers began a vehement campaign for further and more energetic action. The Turkish Press replied by threatening a boycott of Italian commerce and the expulsion of Italian subjects. The ne.xt step in the controversy appears to have been made by the Ottoman Government, and to have taken the shape of designs intended to strengthen the garrison and defences of the Tripolitaine
ports.

On September 23
Italian

the Italian Consuls in Turkish liarbours

their vessels

warned

merchant captains that

had better leave

the Italian Government called the reservists of the 1888 contingent

to the colours,
Tripoli,

and a Turkish transport, the Derna, on her way to was " sliepherded " by Italian cruisers. On the same day an account was published in some of tlie European and American newspapers describing tlie composition of an expeditionary force said to be intended for the occupation of Tripoli and the steps taken to engage transports, Avith the date when the force would be despatched
;

NAVAL PREPARATIONS.
were also ineutioned. and Europeans began

147

The Arabs
to

in Ti-i[)oli ])ecanie

much

aifitated,

leave the place.

This was immediately

followed by the establishment in Italy of a strict censorship upon

news telegrams. On September 25 Italy presented a Note

to rouse the inhabitants

to

Turkey complaining

of the continuance of this state of unrest, protesting against attempts

of Tripoli to molest Italian citizens, and

recommending Turkey to abstain from sending reinforcements to Northern Africa. The Ottoman Government denied that the Europeans were in danger. Then, on September 28, the Italian In this Government presented its ultimatum to Constantinople.
document, after recapitulating the grievances of Italian subjects in

Italian
turn.

and intimating the uselessness of further negotiations, the withdrawal bv the Porte of its garrison was demanded, and the A reply resolution of the Italians to occupy Tripoli was announced, was required within twenty-four hours. But this being considered unsatisfactory at the Quirinal, a state of war between Italy and Turkey automatically came about at 2.30 p.m. on Friday, September 29,
Tripoli,

when the twenty-four hours' limit expired. From the foregoing summary of the circumstances which ushered
in the

war

and

it

would be foreign

to the scope of this article to

go

further into the political causes of the struggle

that there were

it

will be manifest

what was likely to occur. had not had its attention prominently directed to the matter by the press, was somewhat taken Ijy surprise, but there is reason to believe that no Government in Europe was without due warning. It was natural to the Turks that they should be caught unawares, for history shows that they have ever been among the last people to accept warnings of the kind. Witness Tchesme, Navarino, and Sinope. On the other hand, Italy had fully prepared for her enterprise. Not only was the Fleet and Warning Array ready, but, as subsequent events proved, was provided with a symptoms, complete scheme of operations. Moreover, during the manceuvres of earlier years, the whole plan may be said to have been rehearsed in detail. Landing operations, block ides, bombardments of coast
signs beforehand of
it

many

The British

public,

mainly because

and the like, had been made the object of special exercises and sea forces in co-operation. Pontoons, bridges, and all the necessary equipment of an expeditionary force had been supplied, with horse-brows and other appliances for eml^arking and disembarking. It was obvious from the lirst that Italy had profited by tlie lessons of the wars of recent times, and had directed all her
positions,

of the land

energy towards perfecting her plans for the occupation anil annexation of Tripoli.
L 2

148
Limits of

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

The
relative geographical positions of the disputants, as well as

war
area.

the limitations which Italy voluntarily placed upon her action by

restricting the

war area, made it certain that the first phase of the Owing to the operations must be wliolly naval in its character. predominance of the Italian Fleet, and the hopeless inferiority of
Turkey's naval resources,
war.
if
it

resolved itself into a demonstration of

the invaluable character of superior sea-power as an instrument of

It is quite possible, indeed, that Italy's action

was hastened,

not precipitated, by indications on the part of Turkey of a deteror, at

mination,

all

events, of a desire, to acquire an effective navy.

The marked

disparity between the naval strength of the two nations

which the Italians were confronted. The primary objective was the naval force of the enemy, and it was
simplified the problem with

necessary to destroy or contain this force so that a military expedition could be passed across the Mediterranean
Strategical

from

tlie

Italian ports

to

problems.

In other Northern Africa without hindrance or molestation. words, Italy's strategical need was to arrange the best combinations
fleet,

of her available forces so as to neutralise the of the hostile

numbers and distribution and thus ensure a successful outcome of her operations. Tactically, the problem would have been how best to use these combinations should they be faced by the enemy, but as the narration of events to be given later will show, the Turks solved, this problem for their opponents by the withdrawal of their principal
ships to security behind the fortresses in Europe.

As

a rule, the

main

war must be the destruction of an enemy's fleet, but in this case the same purpose was served when the Ottoman men-of-war thus voluntarily eclipsed themselves. The Turkish force could not even be accused of possessing the character of a " fleet in being," and the potential threat of such a force has had no real
object of a naval

influence

upon the

operations, although, naturally, this has not pre-

vented the Italians from adopting those precautionary measures

which were applicable

provinces

to the circumstances.

Although, however, the geographical situation of the Turkish

successful attempt at protecting
of the coast of

made open-sea communication the essential precedent to any them from invasion, the proximity
Albania to that of Italy gave opportunity for a

naval force of sufficient strength and mobility to menace the Italian

Ottoman
naval unreadiness.

and might have retarded No attempt, however, was made to the despatch of the expedition. take advantage of this position, and the Italians had little trouble in disposing of the few torpedo craft which, mainly for the Customs Otherwise Italy was prevention service, made their base at Preveza. This was not the case with Turkey, whose practically unassailable.
trade in the Adriatic
reprisals,

by way of

THE WAR AREA.

loug coastline in the Levant and

149
to attack,

Red Sea was exposed

while, although the Dardanelles were closed by fortresses

and

afterIt

wards mined, elsewhere the Turkish ports were ill-protected.

would have been open to Italy either to seize islands like Lemnos or Mitylene in the /Egean Sea, or to make a demonstration off Salonika, but for the apprehension of causing further European complications. Simultaneously with the despatch of its ultimatum to Constantinople, the Italian Government addressed a note to its legations or consulates
in the States adjacent to the Turkish frontier, informing
Italy did not wish to encourage

them

that

any movement against Turkey in the Balkan Peninsula, and would use her best efforts to prevent anything of the sort happening. Similarly, when Austria-Hungary displayed some nervousness in consequence of the proceedings on the
coast of Albania, Italy at once stopped operations in that direction.

seems probable also that the same determination to restrict the war area if possible operated in the use which Italy made of her Fleet, and it may even be that the successful escape of the Ottoman ships from Beyrout to the Dardanelles in the early days of the struggle was due as much to the abstention of the Italians as to
It

the efforts of the Turks.

little

Had

a meeting taken place, there can be

doubt as to what the result would have been, and bearing in

the influence which the so-called " Massacre of Sinope " had
in

mind

upon Western opinion

satisfied to see the small

1853 the Italians were probably quite

el

Turkish squadron take shelter behind the

Bahr,
Tripoli

forts at

Kum

Kaleh and Sid

It is

unnecessary in these notes, since they are only intended

naval operations, to give a detailed description of the
;

to sketch the

Cyrenaica.

but a few words may be said about the ports which became the scenes of naval activity. Tripoli, with Cyrenaica, has a .seaboard of some 1100 miles, but the coast is very imperfectly charted, and difficulties of access make it unfavourable for the disembarkation of troops. At the same time, the absence of any
province of Tripoli
effective

system of fortification and an efficient garrison precluded any successful attempt to oppose a landing. It was in every case bad weather M'hich caused delay to the Italians in their attempts to throw men on shore. The principal seaports are Tripoli, Benghazi, and Derna, while there is also at Marsa Tobruk a harbour, which is
capable of considerable development.
five It affords perfect shelter in

to

seven fathoms from

It
is,

south-east to east.
of Tripoli affords

winds excepting those from the moreover, of large extent. The harbour
all

fairly

good anchorage,
prevail.

but landing

is

not easy

when strong northerly winds

consisted of tw<j or

The defences of the place three old masonry forts and an earthwork, with

150

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

of obsolete guns.

armaments mostly
roadsteads.

Derna and Benghazi

are open

The Italian Fleet.

Italian

Since

it

was

last

engaged in a maritime

conflict,
fleets,

the

Italian

develop-

Navy

has undergone, in

common with

other

a development

ment.

which has not only maintained, but improved its relative position, and as Captain Osvaldo Paladini said in the Naval Annual for 1906, it is a powerful factor in military and political affairs. This is the result of energetic and far-seeing administrative work, and especially of the encouragement by the Government of the shipbuilding and manufacturing industries of Italy to develop their resources for naval purposes. The work of the late Benedetto Brin, as Minister of Marine, was particularly valuable in this connection, and it was due to him that in 1885 a law was passed for subsidising shipbuilders and shipowners in proportion to the tonnage and engine power of ships built in Italian yards with Italian material. Also
that English firms were induced to co-operate with those in Italy
for the production of propelling

machinery, guns, armour,

benefit of the co-operation of firms like

readily acknowledged

as
to

has been said

is

etc. The Armstrong and Vickers is by an Italian writer " The

:

happy

results of

which Italy

to-day so proud are due almost

entirely to

Brin's

idea of calling in

English capital and English

Italian

industrial

organisation

co-operate with

workmanship."

As regards relative position, the Italian Navy now stands fourth among the navies of Europe, with a strength of something less than one half that of France and one-third that of Germany. Of its
twenty-one armoured ships, ten are
features which marlc
Services.
cruisers, and all have some novel them out from contemporary vessels in other

Italian constructors, in fact, have never

made

it

a rule

any other country, but have asserted their originality in some remarkable designs of their own. The Battle Fleet at present includes eleven battleships, all comto follow simply the building policy of

pleted during the last twenty years, and of which the most
are the four ships of the
their higli

modern
for

Eoma

class.

These vessels are notable

speed of 22 knots, and the inclusion of two instead of

main battery the price of 4 knots speed. was held to be partially compensated for by the increase of the secondary battery from four to twelve guns of 8-in. calibre. The Eoma type was referred to with approval by Admiral Sir John Hopkins in his lecture, at the Koyal United Service Institution in February, 1902, upon the question, " Is a
four 12-in. guns in the

The

latter reduction

Second Class or Smaller Battleship Desirable

"

He

pointed out

THE ITALIAN FLEET.

151

that at that time only seven of the forty-two first-class cruisers built or building iu European navies were superior to the

Roma
It

in speed,

while her merits as a reinforcing ship were very great.

was not
for the

Types
sbips.

of

until five years later that this idea of powerful cruisers as a fast

wing of a
designers.
laid

battle fleet

was accepted by the British Admiralty

Invincible class, which speaks

much

for

the foresight of Italian

The two

slightly larger ships of the Benedetto Brin type,

fast

down

three years earlier, are almost

battleships, being

designed for 20 knots, as compared with the 19 knots of the British

Duncans and the 18 knots

of the Formidables of similar date, but

they carry a less powerful secondary battery.

These six ships form

a very efficient striking force for the Italian Navy.

Of the

five older battleships,

two carry

10-in.

guns in their main

There
is

battery and the remaining three guns of 13'5-in. calibre, like the
British Royal Sovereigns, but all have a good speed.

not

the marked

between Italian battleships and armoured cruisers that exists in the British Navy, for while the former have
difference
class,

high speed, usually associated with the cruiser

the latter also

carry lieavier guns than are to be found in any other pre-Dreadnought

cruisers except the Russian Rurik, the Japanese

American Tennessee

classes.

Of

the ten Italian

seven not only carry 10-in. guns but 8-iu.

Tsukuba, and the armoured cruisers. Naval material. or 7*5-in. guns as well.

The predominant characteristics of Italy's armoured fleet therefore seem to be high speed and heavy gun power, and the principles underlying design were well expressed by Captain Paladini when he said that it was necessary for Italy to prepare a force which could be applied to the defensive strategy most suitable to a nation which has many populous coast towns to defend. Therefore it was obvious that the vessels m.ost suitable must be of high speed, well armed and protected, and sufficiently independent, and Italian naval constructors have never lost sight of these qualities amid all the rapid changes in naval construction due to the progress of metallurgy and ballistics. In unarmoured cruisers for commerce protection, or for scouting duties and the like, Italy is not so well provided as some of her neighl)ours. She has no first-class protected cruisers, none of the second-class under twenty years of age, and only eight of the thirdclass, but she has recently begun to build scouts of 3380 tons. The Italian torpedo flotilla is not only strong numerically, but
particularly efficient,

thanks chiefly to the enterprise of private

firms at Nai)le8

obtained

in

and elsewhere, although a few of the boats were fiermany. Nor has submarine construction been
l(!aving out of

negl(!ctc<l, uii'l,

account the Delfino of

JH'.H,
if

there

are ten boats available to form a submarine division

necessary.

152
though
Personnel
it

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

does not appear that

much

use was ever intended to be

and
organisation.

made of the submarine durin^f^ the war. The personnel of the Italian Navy is well organised and trained, and the Government has the advantage in this connection of a considerable maritime population upon which to draw for its naval
49,389 officers and men, with a small reserve The seamen are excellent fighting material, and only a part of the annual draft provided by the conscription system is required, but the remainder is liable to be called upon in case of war.

seamen.
of

It consists of

some 4000.

As

a matter of fact, certain grades of naval reservists were called to

Petty officers are obtained from those who join as boys and form a continuous service force. The effectiveness of organisation at the Ministry of Marine was illustrated by the smooth and noiseless manner in which the The chief of the departmobilisation of the Fleet was carried out. ment is usually an admiral, but he is also a member of either the Senate or Chamber, and is fully responsible to Parliament. A civilian under-secretary and a rear-admiral with the title of " general secretary " assist the Minister of Marine in matters of detail and routine. There are also two advisory bodies, the Superior Council and the Committee of Design. The Executive Bureaux include those
the colours.
dealing with the 2^crsonnel, with sliipbuilding, with naval ordnance,

Naval
bases.

and with the Mercantile Marine. To the existence of this lastnamed bureau, and the fact that the Italian Mercantile Marine is controlled from the same department as the Navy, may be due the promptness with which the transports were taken up and utilised to convey the troops to the African coast. For the purposes of naval organisation, the coast is divided into three great maritime departments, each under the prefectship of an admiral, with headquarters at Spezia, Naples, and Venice. Spezia It has a well-equipped is the most important of the naval bases. dockyard and arsenal, a splendid harbour, and is strongly fortified.
Naples,

with the building yard at Castellammare,

it
it

is

second

in

importance, but
substituted
for

has been suggested that

as

Tarauto should

be

the more suitable base for naval purposes.

Tarauto has

dockyard, which
the

has recently been enlarged

and

improved, and

roadstead has been protected

by

fortifications,

while it is in contemplation to complete a breakwater for the purpose of giving security to the ships lying in the outer anchorage. The third base is at Venice, wliich is also provided with a large and well-equipped dockyard, and is protected by modern forts and
artillery.

The

principal secondary bases of Italy include the island

of

Maddalena, on the north

coast

of

Sardinia, Brindisi, in

the

THE ITALIAN FLEET.

The Italian
Displace-

153

Fleet,

Name.

ment.
Tons.

I.H.P.

Battleships.

Roma
Napoli

Regina Elena.
Vittorio

Emanuele
.

III.

Benedetto Brin Regina Margherita Ammiraglio di Saint Bon

.

Emanuele
Sicilia

Filiberto

Sardegna

Re Umberto
San Giorgio San Marco

....
.

12,425 12,425 12,425 12,425 13,207 13,207 9,645 9,645 13,085 13,640 13,825

1907 1905 1904 1904 1901 1901 1897 1897 1891 1890 1888

21,968 19,000 19,300 19,300 20,400 20,660 14,400 13,630 16,900 17,500 19,500

Armoured Cruisers.

Amalfi Pisa Francesco Ferruccio Varese Giuseppe Garibaldi

Carlo Alberto Vettor Pisani
.
.

.... .... ....

9,680 9,680 9,980 9,980 7,234 7,234 7,234 6,396 6,396

4,511

1908 1908 1908 1907 1902 1899 1899 1896 1895

19,595 23,700 20,500 20,812 13,580 13,840 14,710 12,230 13,250 10,700

Marco Polo

1892

Protected Cruisers.
Coatit
.

Agordat Puglia

1,292 1,292 2,498

1899 1899 1898 1894 1893 1893 1891 1891 1890

7,500 8,550 7,400

Calabria

2,452
2,689 2,255 2,255 2,255 2,245

4,000 7,470 7,100 7,000 7,590 6,840

3,900 3,880 4,400 3,850 8,800

Elba
Liguria

Umbria
Etruria

Lombardia
Caprera

Torpedo Vessels.
Minerva Urania
Iride
.

Aretusa

833 833 833 833 833

1894 1892 1891 1891 1891

10 boats 6 boats 6 boats 1 boat

365-400

24 boats 4 boats 1 boat 7 boats

154

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

more
ships,

Adriatic, Genoa, Aucona, and,

recently, Augusta,

on the east
facilities

coast of Sicily.
for the fitting

All these places are well protected, afford

and have been used during the the repair ship Vulcano was stationed, war. At the last-named place some 14,000 tons of coal had been stored there, and thither the vessels returned from the coast of Africa to replenish their supplies
of fuel, stores, etc.

and repairing of

The Turkish Fleet.

Effective

The outbreak
to prevent

of

war found the Turkish Navy quite unprepared

on the defensive.

^^^^^

the success of the Italian military expedition or to do

strictly

anything but act

Her

past experience of

the use of sea power should have convinced Turkey of her need of

an adequate
battleships,

Fleet, but

lack of

one on the former

in August,

scale.

She had

means prevented her maintaining effective the two ex-German

Kheyr-ed-Din Barbarossa and Turgut Eeis, purchased for the sum of 900,000, which were obsolete according to European standards, although serviceable and in good These were the only condition by reconstruction and reboilering. vessels at all capable of being used against the Italian armoured fleet In addition, Turkey had two of twenty-one battleships and cruisers.
1910,

protected cruisers, the

Hamidieh and Medjidieh,

and Cramp,
of

built respectively

launched in 1903.

and was at Spithead in June last for the Coronation Naval Eeview, under the command of Commodore H. Sermed Bey. The only other modern vessels were torpedo craft. There were two torpedo gunboats, the Berk-i-Satvet and the Peik-i-Shevket, both launched at the Germania Yard, Kiel, in 1906, and completed in the following year. They may

by

Armstrong,

of

Elswick,

Philadelphia,

The former

of these useful ships

be described as glorified destroyers, without a destroyer's speed,

being only designed for 22 knots.

The torpedo-boat destroyers

numbered ten
same firm
vessels, the

of

modern

type, four being the boats purchased from

Schichau, of Elbing, in 1910, similar to those constructed by the

for

the

German Navy

four

of French

manufacture,

launched at the Creusot Works, Bordeaux, in 1907-8, and two older

Berk-Efshan and Tajjar, launched at Kiel in 1894.

fifteen torpedo-boats effective.

There were also

This total included

eleven Ansaldo boats, seven of which, the Angora, Urffa, Antalia,

Tokat, Deradj, Kulahia, and Mossul, were launched in 1906
Eliagot and Ac-Hisar, in 1904, and two
;

two, the

unnamed

boats in 1901.

The remaining four torpedo-boats were of French design the Hamid Abad, Sultan Hissar, Sivri Hissar, and Timur Hissar- and were
launched at Bordeaux in 1906.

THE TURKISH FLEET.

The TurJcish
Name.
Fleet.

155

156
the

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

summer
of 1909, and the improved organisation

and discipline

were the subject of general commendation. Admiral Gamble resigned his position as Naval Adviser to the Turkish Government early in 1910 on the ground of ill-health,
effected within so short a time

and was succeeded by Eear-Admiral H. P. Williams, whose appointment was announced on April 13. The only other changes in the British staff have been the appointment of Lieutenant L. D. I. MacKinnon for gunnery duties, in the place of Lieutenant Tottenham, and Engineer-Lieutenants W. W. Reed and G. W. Le Page, for
engineering duties, in place of Engineer-Lieutenant Croisdale, while

Naval Instructor H. H. Holland has also been lent to the staff in addition, which consists (March, 1912) of seven members, including
Lieutenant Gwynne returned home in 1911. On the outbreak of war the British Government consented to these officers continuing in the service of the Ottoman Navy, but their duties
the Admiral.

were limited

to the shore,

and were in no way connected with the

New

shipbuilding.

operations of the war.

In addition to these measures for putting the

existing fleet in order, steps were taken to construct

new

contracts were placed in

May, 1911,

for the building of

ships, and two Dread-

noughts in England.

These ships were presumably part of the

The Dardanelles defences.

programme reported to have been drawn up by Sir Douglas Gamble in 1910, and adopted by the Cabinet, which included al.go three cruisers and ten destroyers. Turkey does not possess anything effective in the way of a naval base, although she has a dockyard at the Golden Horn. With the exception also of the Dardanelles, it is unlikely that any of her ports
are effectively fortified.

In the batteries at the Dardanelles there are

from twelve to fifteen 12-in. guns, but these are much exposed, and have a very restricted arc of fire and indifferent loading arrangements.

which there are many in the forts, and practically useless against modern armoured ships. After the war began the Dardanelles and some of the other ports were mined.
of the other guns, of

Most

are of an obsolete nature,

Narrative of the Operations.

The Naval Mobilisation.

Owing

to the strict exercise of

the

censorship

by the Italian
the mobilisation

authorities after

September

23, information about

and subsequent movements of the Navy and Army was sparse and fragmentary. The concealment of trustworthy news led also to the publication of much spurious and misleading matter. This account of events, therefore, must not be regarded as exhaustive, although
care has been taken to

make

it

as full as the circumstances

would

ITALIAN FLEET ORGANISATION.

permit.
It has

]57

been compiled mainly from reports whicli appeared

German, and English newspapers and magazines, supplemented by official despatches, personal narratives, and private letters. At the outbreak of hostilities on the afternoon of September 29, the Italian Battle Fleet, with its attached flotillas, had been organised in two squadrons, each of two divisions, and there were also three
in Italian,

independent groups

the

training

division,

the division operating

in

on the Albanian
follows

coast,

and that stationed

the

Eed

Sea.

The

composition of these forces, so far as can be discovered, w^as as

:

First Squadron.
First Division.

Italian

Fleet organisation.

Commander-in-Chief
Battleships

Vittorio
A

The Late Vice-Admiral Aubry.

III.,

Emanuele

liegina Elena,

Roma, Napoli.

FlotiUa of four Destroyers.

Second Division.
Rear- Admiral Presbitero.

Armoured Cruisers

Pisa,

Amalfi, San Marco.

Third-class Cruiser

Agordat

Flotilla of four Destroyers.

Second Squadron.
Third Division.

Vice-Admiral Faravelli.
Battleships

Benedetto Erin, Eegina Margherita, Emanuele Filiberto.

A
Flotilla of four Destroyers.

Fourth Division.
Iiear-Admiral Thaon de Itevel.

Armoured Cruisers

Giuseppe Garibaldi, Varese, Francesco Ferruccio. Third-class Cruiser Coatit.

A
Flotilla of four Destroyers.

Traininff Division.

Rear- Admiral Borea Ricci.

Battleships

Sicilia,

Sardegna,

Re Umberto.

Armoured Cruiser
Rear- Admiral the
Battleship

Carlo Alberto.
of
tlie

Adriatic Division.

Duke

Abruzzi.

Ammiraglio di

St. lion.

Armoured

Cruisers

Third-class Cruiser

Vettor Pisani, Marco Polo. Lombardia.

A A

Flotilla of five or six Destroyers.

Flotilla of six or eight Torpedo-boats.

158

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Red Sea
Division.

Third-class Cruisers

Piemonte, Aretusa, Puglia, Calabria, Liguria.

Despatch Vessel

Stafetta.
for instant action.
1,

A
Mobilisation arrange-

Flotilla of six

Torpedo Boats.

Nearly

all of these vessels

were in readiness

The

ships in full commission were, on September

distributed at the

ments.

various arsenals in the south awaiting orders, and when, two days
later,

the instruction

to

mobilise

arrived

they were prepared

to

proceed to their war stations, and several

left for

Augusta

at once.

The naval

reservists

of

the

youngest four

classes,

1884-87, were
to

instructed to join within three days, and those

men who were

have

joined on October 1 were instructed to report themselves forthwith.

San Giorgio was lying damaged at Naples, she having recently sustained injury by striking a rock at Posillipo, but she was the only vessel of the active fleet unfit for service. The battleships Regina Margherita and Regina Elena and the armoured cruiser San Marco were undergoing repairs estimated to take from eight to fourteen days. The battleships Sicilia, Ee Umberto, St. Bon, and Emmanuele Filiberto, with the armoured cruisers Carlo Alberto and Marco Polo, had reduced complements to fill up, and in order to

The armoured

cruiser

complete for active service with reservists they required eight days.
All the ships, however, with the exception of the Regina Elena and

Regina Margherita, were ready

vessels

to leave

on October

1,

and those two

by October 5. The mobilisation of the Fleet was thus smoothly, and witliont The success which attended the attracting much notice, carried out. operation of placing the JSTavy on a war footing and the secrecy in which its execution was enveloped are high testimony to the efficient working of the naval administration. By the excellence of the plans, the smartness with which the Fleet moved, and the effectiveness of all
the

measures taken immediately on the declaration of war, the

Defence
of the coast.

command of the sea was practically secured before an attempt was made to despatch a single transport from harbour. At the same time steps were taken for the defence of the coast and commerce. On September 23, Taranto and Brindisi had their forts mobilised, and Venice was put on the same footing on October 2. On
Ancona to Cape Santa Maria di Lucia, the coast-guard were occupied and coast defence companies placed for obserCertain lights were also extinguished for a time. Also in vation. the colony of Ery threa the garrison was increased by a mobilisation of
the coast, from
stations

the native levies, and the

Red Sea naval division prepared for action. In Turkey, on the other hand, nothing appears to have been done

FLEET DISTRIBUTION.
by way of preparing
realised tliat Italy

159

for the war, and it does not seem to have been would take prompt measures to use her crushing naval superiority as soon as the time limit in the ultimatum expired. No concentration of naval force took place. There were some small craft in the Eed Sea, a training squadron in the unprotected harbour at Bey rout, several gunboats scattered along the coast of Asia Minor, or in the ports of Salonica and Smyrna, while on the coast of Albania there M'ere a few torpedo vessels. It was from the ports in Epirus and Albania that an attempt might have been made, with some hope of success, to harass and delay tlie military expedition to Tripoli, while fast blockade-runners were used to throw men and arms ashore in the threatened province. To have undertaken such an enterprise, forethought was necessary, some adequate defence of the port or ports chosen as a temporary base was required, and a suitable squadron should have been assembled for the purpose. But nothing of the kind was attempted, and later on the difficulties of landing on the coast in Tripoli, and the speedy manner in which the Italians seized all the ports, foredoomed any plan for effectively helping the

garrison in this

way

to failure.

The squadron at Beyrout consisted of the battleships Kheyr-edDin Barbarossa (ex-Kurfiirst Friedrich Wilhelm) and Turgut Eeis (ex-Weissenburg), the cruisers Hamidieh and Medjidieh, and five destroyers. The battleships and cruisers left the harbour on September 28, and steamed towards the coast of Cyprus, being at the time without information as to the imminence of war. Intelligence of the outbreak of hostilities was received two days later, and taking course between Mitylene and the mainland, the
little force

Turkish
distribu*^*^-

amved

safely in the Dardanelles at 4.30 p.m. on Sunday,

The five destroyers arrived on the 3rd. Nothing was seen of the enemy by the squadron, and although Italian cruisers or destroyers were reported on September 30 from no less than five signal stations in the Mgean Sea, it does not appear that any serious attempt was made to intercept the Turkish ships. These went up to Constantinople until October 16, when with some other vessels they returned to the Dardanelles, and the fleet there was reported, about October 22, to be composed of the battleships
Octol^er
1.

Turgut

lieis,

Klieyr-ed-Din Barl^arossa, and Messoudieh, the cruisers

six destroyers

dockyard hands at the Golden Horn the battleship Assar-i-Tewfik, the gunboat Berk-i-Satvet, two destroyers and four torpedo-boats. With the exception of a guardshii) or two
in

Hamidieh and Medjidieh, the same time there were

and two torpedo-boats.

At

and a few gunboats and torpedo craft outside the Dardanelles, was believed to be the total effective naval force of Turkey.

this

KJO
Italian

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

plan of
operations.

operations revealed

Immediately on the outbreak of war, the Italian naval plan of its three-fold character. While one division of the force dealt with the small vessels which from the Turkish ports

of Albania

and Epirus menaced the Adriatic, another swept the iEgean Sea eastward to the Syrian coast for the main body of the Turkish Fleet, and yet a third proceeded to make good the blockade
of the Tripolitaine littoral.

These operations were undertaken to

a result, within a few days the Turkish

secure the safety of the Italian lines of communication, shipping, and

coast towns from attack.

As

torpedo boats at Preveza and other ports in the lower Adriatic had

been destroyed or captured, the Turkish men-of-war on the Syrian coast had disappeared behind the forts at the Dardanelles, and the
blockade of the North African coast from the frontier of Tunis to

Egypt had begun. Thus at the very outset communication between Turkey and the provinces which are lier last strongholds in Africa was effectively severed, and the Italian Commander-in-Cliief
that of

was enabled to report that the transport of the military expedition might be carried out without fear of interruption.
Operations in the Adriatic.

The first shot of the war appears to have been fired on the morning of September 30, within a few hours of the expiration of the ultimatum. It was to Vice-Admiral the Duke of the Abruzzi that
the routing out of the Turkish torpedo craft on the coast of Albania

was entrusted. An advanced detachment of his squadron, consisting of the Marco Polo, with other cruisers, and some destroyers, had left Taranto on the morning of Friday, September 29, and were already on the Albanian coast when the ultimatum expired. It was understood that the Turkish torpedo craft were assembling at Preveza, a
port at the southernmost point of the province of Yanina, at the

entrance to the Gulf of Arta, with the intention of harassing Italian

commerce, and the Duke was therefore instructed to take measures Eeporting the first calculated to prevent anything of the kind.
engagement, he said in his despatch, dated from the Vettor Pisani,
his flagship
:

Action oS Preveza.

' arrived off Preveza this morning (September 30) and established a blockade. ^^ three o'clock the officers in command of the flotillas signalled that two Turkish torpedo-boats had left Preveza in succession. One flotilla gave chase to the first boat, which tried to escape to the north, and after a brief exchange of shots the Turkish boat made for the shore, where she stranded after catching fire, and remained hors de combat. The second Turkish torpedo-boat, which was pursued by two destroyers, returned at once to Preveza without sustaining any damage. I have telegraphed to the officers concerned my satisfaction with the way they carried out the manoeuvre.

ACTION OFF PREVEZA.

The
vessel

161

which was set on fire and destroyed was reported later and the vessel which escaped into port, where she According to a more detailed was afterwards sunk, the Eliagot. which appeared in a Milan subsequent action report of this and a
to be the Tokat,

paper, Captain Biscaretti,

flotilla,

who commanded

a section of the destroyer

arrived off the coast north of Preveza on the previous night.

A lieutenant
the

named Pananzi landed

and

disguised as a peasant, and from

summit

of a hill, with the aid of his glasses,

was able

to see

inside the harbour of Preveza

to distinguish the position of the

Turkish vessels, which appeared to be about to leave.

Ho

hurried

and shortly afterwards the two Turkish boats appeared, and were chased, with tlie result as stated in the Duke's despatch. Captain Biscaretti then approached the port, which one of
back
Avith his report,

the destroyers, the Corazziere, entered, while the other, the Artigliere,

remained outside in reserve.

forts

It

seized a small vessel in the harbour

was not until the Corazziere had and taken her in tow that the

opened fire. In the action that ensued a Turkish torpedo-boat was sunk, and the Italians retired without being harmed. The INIinistry of Marine also published a despatch, dated from Cape Santa Maria di Lucia, as follows
:

and Corazziere sank a destroyer and a torpedo-boat near The Corazziere is on her way to Taranto escorting a captured yacht. The destroyer Alpino has captured a steamer with a Greeli: crew, which was on her way from the north to Preveza and had on board five Turkish officers and 162 soldiers, besides a large quantity of munitions of war and grain. We have susArtigliere

The destroyers

Preveza this morning.

tained no casualties in

men

or ships.

to

The Turkish boats stationed on the coast of Albania are believed have been of the Ansaldo and Creusot types, and not destroyers. These boats varied in length from 116 ft. to 165 ft., and carried a very
small armament in addition to their torpedoes.

was confined

to the

prevention of smuggling.

Their principal duty Other boats were also

;

reported as destroyed off Gomenitza, Murta, and Durazzo

or eight believed to be

of the six

on the

coast,

apparently

all

Ijut

one were

accounted for

the Antalia.
''

The name

of the captured yacht

was
^f^P*'^'^'^

given as the Trablusi Gharb.

On

the

same day

as the occurrence off Preveza, l)ut further to the

of trans-

northward, another transport was reported to have been captured by

the Marco Polo and her
flotilla.

ports.

Later on a semi-official note stated

that the Turkish officers captured on board the two transports Sabah and Newa were to be released on parole. Several minor successes were achieved by the Duke's division, but a report that the Italians contemplated landing in Albania aroused a feeling of irritation in Austria-Hungary, and out of deference tu public opinion in that country instructions were given to recall the patrols on October 6,

162

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

last

and the

capture reported appears to have taken place on the

following day.

the Italian coast

Other plans were then adopted for the protection of In and Italian shipping from Turkish attack.

connection with the capture of the transports, a naval prize court

was

established.

After clearing the Albanian ports, the

Duke

of the Abruzzi took

the greater portion of his force on to the Ionian and .Egean Seas, and

towards the end of October was reported to be cruising between

Cerigo and Crete.
TVorh of the First Squadron.

Squadron and its attached flotilla of of Admiral Aubry, included sweeping operations on the Macedonian and Syrian coasts, with other precautionary measures intended to secure the safety of the Italian lines of communication against attack from the direction of the .^'Egean or Tlie wide area covered by these movements was the Levant. indicated by the almost simultaneous reports during the first few days of hostilities of Italian vessels sighted off Smyrna, Salonika,

The duties

of the First

destroyers, under the

command

Marsa
Tobruk.

Dede Agatch, Thasos, Mitylene, Chios, and other places. The First Squadron had also other work to accomplish on the With his flag in the Vittorio Emanuele, the Cyrenaican coast.
Admiral, after having satisfied himself that he had
little to

apprehend

from Turkish naval

activity,

appeared on October 4

off

and under cover of his guns landed a brigade of The small Turkish garrison was unable to offer much marines. resistance and was overpowered, and until the arrival of the troops on October 10 a naval brigade remained in occupation of the place. This harbour has proved invaluable to the Italians. It was at once made a temporary base for the vessels operating to the eastward, and later was used as a coaling depot by the blockading ships instead of their returning to Taranto or Augusta to replenish fuel and stores. The advantages of Tobruk, which had been overlooked or neglected by the Turks, were thus early recognised and utilised by the Italians. The Admiral's expedition was accompanied by a transport carrying a large quantity of stores and material for the establishment of a temporary base. This material had been tested during the naval manoeuvres in 1910. As the water-supply was bad a distilling and tank ship was stationed in the port, as well as a vessel fitted up with machine shops, etc., for undertaking repairs. Forts and earthworks were thrown up for the protection of the place against land attack, and a wireless telegraph station installed. On more than one occasion after the military occupation the place was attacked l)y the

Marsa Tobruk, 500 seamen and

BLOCKADE OF

TRIPOLI.

163

enemy, but the assaults were repulsed by field-artillery fire and tlie guns of the Fleet. In one of these affairs in October, wlien tlie troops of the garrison, reinforced by two companies from the warships, were driving oft the enemy, the Italian Navy lost a lieutenant and a
doctor, while several

seamen were wounded.

westward
Dcrna.
8,

Some

of the ships of this division visited Derna, to the

of Tobruk,

on October

but, it

was

said,

merely to give notice of

away Italian subjects. This visit, and others same character, gave rise to premature rumours of bombardment. It was not until October IG that the second division of the First Squadron appeared off the place and summoned it to surrender. As the Turks refused to comply with the demand, the ships proceeded Landing-parties to bombard and destroy the barracks and trenches. were then despatched, but the sea was so rough that it was deemed prudent to recall the troops. During the whole of the next day the weather prevented any landing operations, but on October 18 troops were landed from the Fleet, the town was occupied, and the
the war and to take
of the
Italian flag hoisted.

The Occupation of Tripoli.

To the Second Squadron, under the command of Vice- Admiral Faravelli, was entrusted the occupation of the town of Tripoli and
the neighbouring ports in the province.

As

already stated, a portion

of this squadron, with a flotilla of destroyers, left Augusta, in Sicily,

on September 24, and on the following day was sighted cruising

off Tripoli at a distance of

20 or 30 miles, the smaller ships closing

Blockade
nounced.

in nearer at nightfall

and using their searchlights/ On September 29, the day war was declared, the destroyer Garibaldino, under a flag of truce, went into the harbour to arrange

with the Consul-General, Signer Galli, about the departure of the

Italian subjects.

On

the afternoon of the same day a blockade of

the coast was announced as extending from 11 32' E. to 27 54' E.

of Greenwich.

In the original announcement the eastern limit of

the blockade was placed

this

somewhat within Egyptian

notified of the blockade

territory,

but

mistake was afterwards rectified and the eastern limit placed at

25 11' E.

The Powers were

1,

on October

3.

On

October

Admiral

Faravelli, in the Benedetto Brin, with the

remaining ships of his squadron, arrived and sent in a

the Governor to surrender.

summons

to

asked

for

the foreign

The reply was a refusal, but time was colony to withdraw from the place, and granted

by the admiral.
wishing to

sent by the Italian

The exodus Ijegan, passenger steamers having been Government to facilitate the dc[)arture of those leave the town. At the same time vessels visited

164

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

On
that day

Benghazi, Horns and other ports to take off refugees.

the telegraph cable from Tripoli was cut by the destroyers Aiorone

Defences
of the
city.

and Albatros, and the wireless station communicating with Constanwas destroyed. The Turks meanwhile sank the Derna, transport, and a gunboat, the Sed-el-Bashr. On the morning of October 3, the ships took np their positions These latter were six preparatory to the bombardment of the forts. in number, two in front of the city, to seaward, one known as the Lighthouse battery, and the other as the Mole or Eed fort. One to
tinople

the eastward of the city, near the village of Sharashet,

natively as Fort

known

alter-

Hamidieh

or Sidi Shahab,

and three

to the west-

which the nearest to the sea was called Fort Sultanieh. The Eed Fort was built of brickwork, but the others were chiefly earthworks, and the heaviest guns mounted were of 9-in. calibre, and, with the possible exception of some of the lighter guns, were all of obsolete natures. The city itself, built on a lofty point close to the sea, is also surrounded by high walls, flanked with bastions. The country generally is flat, with, to the southward and eastward, many villages and palm groves, but to the westward a sandy desert.' BombardThe positions taken up by the vessels for the bombardment were ment of as follows the Francesco Ferruccio, Giuseppe Garibaldi and Varese, the forts. armoured cruisers, opposite Fort Hamidieh the Benedetto Brin and Emanuele Filiberto, battleships, and Carlo Alberto, armoured cruiser, opposite the Eed Fort and the Burj el Trado or Lighthouse Fort while the Sardegna, Sicilia, and Ee Umberto, battleships, were to The "first shot was fired from the settle the Gargarisch batteries. Benedetto Brin, Vice-Admiral Faravelli's flagship, at 3.15 p.m., and the bombardment continued until sunset, by which time all the forts had been silenced and most of them were in ruins. The firing of the ships was carried out at a distance at which their guns far out-ranged On the morning of October 4, an Italian the guns of the forts. torpedo-boat entering the harbour was fired upon from Fort Hamidieh, whereupon the Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Francesco Ferruccio, and the Varese, the cruisers of Eear-Admiral Thaon de Eevel's division, were ordered to complete the destruction of this work, and This was practically the end of the Turkish it was quickly silenced. resistance. Boats were then sent in to sweep for possible mines, and some of the men landing found the forts deserted. In reporting the occurrences of these days. Admiral Aubry mentions that, on the night of September 27, one of the boats of the Eoma, battleship, commanded by Lieutenant Olgeri, carried out a
batteries, of
:

ward

the Gargarisch

reconnaissance inside the harbour of Tripoli

in

the

face

of

tlie

UEl^

SKA OrRRATIONS.

165

Turkish
to the

batteries.

Tlie coolness of this ofTicer iu his mission

and

the courage of the crew deserve, said the Admiral, to he

made known
in the
hospitals,

whole of the

Fleet.

The Admiral
spared
all

also states that

bombardment the
fortifications,

Italians

the

consulates,
fire

churches, monasteries and convents, directing their

only at the

which they were able

to

do with relative ease, as the

range of the Turkish guns was so inferior to that of the Italians that
the ships

went in quite near. The protracted nature of the bombardment was due to a desire to respect the houses of the non-combatants and to avoid useless bloodshed. Judging by the havoc wrought by
Italian
fire,

tlie

all the forts

might have been dismantled and the

lives of the

batteries silenced in a

few hours, but at the cost of the

to

defenders, a contingency which the Italians tried to avoid.

shallow water and able to be refloated.

The Turkish transport Derna was found Of

have been sunk in The Naval

"'

this ship, it is stated

that she only succeeded in running the blockade and reaching Tripoli

because the Italian instructions were to let her pass, the landing of

arms from her being regarded

the opening of hostilities.
report, the
"

as a casus belli

and an occasion

for
this

Otherwise, said the officer wjio

made

When we
On

Derna would have been captured 200 miles from Tripoli. discovered her she was flying the German flag and had
to Eitel Friedrich."
5,

changed her name

October

the landing took place. A detachment of 500 seamen and marines were sent to occupy Fort Sultanieh and the other batteries at Gargarisch, and altogether 2000 men were landed from the fleet as a temporary garrison, while Eear-Admiral Borea Ricci was appointed interim Governor, and Commodore Cagni

commander of the force ashore The temporary Governor

career in the Navy.

in the town.
of

Tripoli

has had a distinguished

He

took part in the blockade of Venezuela,

and was present at the battle of Chemulpo at the beginning of the Russo-Japanese war. He was decorated by the Tsar for his efforts in saving the crews of the Russian men-of-war Variag and Korietz. A police service was established immediately after the landing of the seamen and marines. At noon on October 5 the Italian Hag was hoisted on Fort Sultanieh and saluted by the whole Fleet.
The lied Sea Operations.

The business of the Red Se^

division

was

to neutralise or destroy
flotillas

such menace as miglit be caused by the Turkish

It

in the

garrison towns on the sea coast of Arabia and the Sinai reninsula;

was actually reported that the Turks intended

to

launch an

expedition against the Italian colony of Erythrea.

Tlie division in

166
the

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Eed Sea
consisted of the Piemonte, Aretusa, Volturno, Stafetta,

Puglia, Calabria, Liguria,

sailing vessels.

some

destroyers, torpedo-boats,

and armed
cruisers,

Tiie heavier vessels

were only third-class

but

of sufficient power to deal with any of the gunboats and other small

which Turkey possessed in the waters of El Yemen. Early in it was reported that the Turkish fort at Hodeidah, having fired upon the Italian cruiser Aretusa, this vessel, with two others, sunk a couple of motor-boats used by the Turks for revenue purposes and armed with quiek-firing guns, and also pursued the Turkish torpedo-gunboat Peik-i-Shevket, which escaped to the shelter of the fort. It would seem, therefore, that Turkey began hostilities in the
craft

October,

lied Sea.

Bombard-

ment
forts.

of

November, the fortified ports of Mocha and Sheikh-Said, at the southern end of the Eed Sea, were bombarded, the reasons given for this step being that information had been
Towards the end
of

received by the Italian

troops

Government

of the concentration of Turkish

at these places, as well as at

of these ports

bombardment

Akaba and Hodeidah. The would have taken place earlier had it
Eed
been Sheikh

not been for the passage of the British Sovereign through the
Sea, in deference to

whom
It

the operation was postponed.

Said, a natural port situated opposite the island of Perim, has

was purchased in 1869 by the firm of Bazin, of Marseilles, but the Arab chief Ali Tabat, being dissatisfied with his bargain, appealed to the Turkish Government, and in the following year the Governor of Mocha reoccupied the place. During the War
claimed by France.
of 1870, France established a coaling station at Sheikh Said, but

evacuated the place at the end of the war, and Turkey afterwards
It is understood that France has never abandoned her rights to Sheikh Said, although these rights have never been admitted by the Ottoman Power. The fortifications of Akaba, at the foot of Mount Sinai, were also shelled at about the same time.

placed a garrison there.

An

eye-witness of the fighting at

Mocha

relates that, in addition to

bombarding the fortifications, the Italian cruiser sank several armed

Yoktul and Dubab. In January, the Italian Minister of Marine received the following telegram from the commander of the Italian forces in the Eed Sea, giving details of an action with Turkish gunboats fought near Kun-

dhows in the

port,

and

also others at

fuda on January 7
Destruction of

gunboats,

Having acquired the conviction tliat a numTser of Turkish gunboats had taken refuge in the internal canals of the Farsan islands, close to Kunfuda, and that a large detachment of troops occupied Lohcia, Fort Midi, and Kunfuda, I decided to carry out a rapid combined operation with all the vessels at my disposal at IMassowah, by co-ordinating the action of these vessels in such a manner that the gunboats would be unable to escape.

ACTtON OFf KUNFUDA.

]()7

lu order to hide my real inteutious, I made a preliminary diversion with the Immediately Calahria and the Puglia, which bombarded the camp at Jobcl Tahr. afterwards, I sent the Piemontc, the (laribaldiuo and the Artiglierc, to explore the canal the Farsan Islands, and entering interior of the coast, starting from Jeddah, passing in front of Lith, to continue on towards the south. At the same time, I sent the Puglia and Calabria, as soon as they returned from Jebel Tahr, to bombard The bombardment further caused Loheia and Port Midi, which were destroyed. damage to the camp and successfully harassed the columns of troops and camel convoys marching towards Loheia. In the meantime, the Piemonto, the Garibaldino, and the Artiglierc continued on the way through the northern canal on January 7, and pursued seven gunboats and the armed yacht Fauvette to Kunfuda. Some of the gunboats made off upon seeing one of the scouting destroyers, and the others opened fire at a range of over 6000 metres upon the Artiglierc, which returned the fire, but awaited the arrival of the Piemonte and Garibaldino before approaching nearer. When the two latter vessels came up, a sharp action began between our ships and the gunboats, which were supported by the land batteries. The fight lasted nearly three hours, and ended shortly before nightfall with the complete defeat of the enemy, whose ships were put out of action and retired, some of them being run ashore. The demoralised crews abandoned their vessels. There was no damage on our side. On the following morning, as it was impossible to save the badly battered gunboats, our ships completed the destruction with their guns, which set the vessels on fire. The yacht, however, was captured. Our ships subsequently bombarded the camp and a building over which the Turkish flag was flying. The enemy then abandoned Kunfuda. When they landed on the beach during the night the crews of the gunboats carried with them some ammunition, stores, and flags, which were seized in the morning by landing parties sent in armed boats from the Piemonte. One of the boats which were destroj'cd had a displacement of 500 tons, another was of 350 tons, and five displaced 200 tons. The guns carried by these boats were
3-in., 9-pr., 3-pr.,

During 1-pr., quick-firing and machine guns of modern type. were mosques or private houses shelled. I am awaiting the arrival of the Piemonte and the yacht, which were left at Kunfuda, where they arc taking possession of the enemy's war material and carrying out some light repairs to the yacht, which will follow the Piemonte under the command of Captain Proli. This brilliant result was possible, thanks to the intelligent and courageous action of all commanders who co-operated bravely in the face of

aud

no part

of the action

serious hydrographical difficulties.

The Garibaldino, mentioned above, and the Artigliere are torpedoboat destroyers. The destruction of the Turkish gunboats in the Eed Sea was not only a severe blow to Turkish prestige, but removed
all

danger of an attack on Erythrea.

In January, the Italian Government notified foreign Powers of Blockade

the establisliment of a blockade from the 22nd inst.
of

by Italian ships Yemen, war on the Ottoman Eed Sea Coast, between lat. 15 11' IST. and lat. 14 30' N. A term fixed by the commander of the blockading squadron was granted to neutral vessels that they might be enabled Towards the end of January, the to leave the blockaded area. Piemonte captured near Hodeidah a motor bai-ge Similar to those sunk by the Italians at the outset of the war. These l)arges or launches were supplied to the Turkish Government for customs purposes and were built by Messrs. Thornycroft and Co. They had twin-screw petrol engines and mounted two guns. From the outset of the war, the Italian ships took most energetic action in order to prevent any attempts at smuggling men or stores
across the lied

Sea into Africa

for the i)urpose of reinforcing

the

168
garrison in Cyrenaica.

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

In October, the Eussian steamer Vladimir, with

Turkish troops on board, as well as the Turkish steamer Kizilermak,

also carrying troops, arrived at Suez

and were detained. In December,

the Turkish hospital ship Kaiserieh was overhauled by the cruiser

it was found that, although flying the Eed Crescent was no trace on board of beds or other hospital arrangements, nor could any of her officers or crew point out surgical instruments or appliances. She was therefore seized on suspicion of being used as a Turkish transport on the Arabian coast. The British steamship Africa was overhauled by the Italian gunboat Volturno, in January. She was bound from Hodeidah to Aden, and the Italians removed twelve Turkish officers, including Colonel Eiza Bey. Other British vessels, apparently unaware of the blockade, were overhauled by the Italian destroyer Granatiere early in February, but no

Puglia,

when

flag, there

captures were reported.

Other vessels overhauled were the Austrian steamer Bregenz, the Eussian steamer Odessa, and the French
There was a bombardment
of

steamer Tavignano.
barded.

Djebana in
to enter

January, and in the following month Sheikh Said was again bom-

In the latter month, several vessels were allowed Hodeidah and remove their nationals.
Transport of the Expeditionary Force.

Trustworthy information about the transport of the expeditionary force has been very difficult to obtain, the accounts which have
appeared
being both meagre and, in
be
carried

some

cases,

contradictory.

Altogether, the force to

appears

to

have been some

35,000 to 40,000 troops, in two divisions, which were conveyed to

Africa in sixty chartered steam vessels.

These vessels varied in

officer as

tonnage from 1300 to 9200 tons, and. were assembled at Naples,

Genoa, and Palermo.

transport
officer,

In each transport was a naval

list is

with from ten to twenty naval seamen.

given in Part
II. of

The
the

regular auxiliary cruisers, of which a

Despatch
of transports.

Naval Annual, were armed with their guns. On October 5 and G, five transports, carrying 1000 men, , ,. p ,. n -n mcludmg a battalion oi mfantry and some artillery and engineers, left Italian ports and arrived at Marsa Tobruk on the 10th, for the purpose of relieving the naval detachment ashore there.
.

On
bound

October 9 the
for Tripoli.

first

transports left conveying the

division of troops.

Army

staff

of the expedition and the

first

This division was

According

to Italian newspapers, the formation

or organisation of the transport

was

in line ahead, with a cruiser

leading and another on each beam.

On

getting out of

Home

waters,

the organisation was altered.

Two

transports and a hospital ship.

TRANSPORT OF TROOPS.
escorted

169

by a cruiser, were sent on ahead, and the other vessels were formed into two groups, one of nineteen and the other of fourteen vessels. Each group was convoyed by two battleships and several
torpedo boats ahead and astern.

At

the

same time a

flotilla

of

destroyers was extended between Augusta and Tripoli to the eastward,

covering

tlie

transports as they

moved through

the IMediterranean.

The transports sent

in advance reached Tripoli,

of infantry were disembarked from these

and five battalions two vessels on October 11.

at

On

the following day,

tlie

group of nineteen transports arrived

Tripoli.

This convoy had finished disembarking' on October 15, by

which time the second group had arrived, and these finished disembarking by the 18th. The landing of these 22,000 troops was effected without any incident, and the seamen then returned to their ships. For the purposes of disembarking the troops, trestle piers were Troop constructed by the engineers, and special troop boats, towed by steam ^^^\^ launches, as well as lighters and large fishing craft, were used to put
the men ashore. The following particulars of the boats used for disembarking troops from the transports are quoted from a technical

^^.^'

jom-nal

The transports carried four large flat-bottomed troop boats for landing purposes. These were carried two forward and two aft on either side in iron crutches on the gunwale. Each boat, built of iron, was 11) ft. G in. long, 9 ft. 9 in. wide, and 3 ft. deep. It was intended to carry thirty-eight or forty men, or as an alternative, about ten horses. The capacity could be enlarged by joining two or more of the troop boats together. For this purpose, locking bolts were fitted to secure the boats alongside one another, the space between being filled by a specially prepared platform. These troop boats could be put into the water and two of them locked up together in from four to five minutes. The naval seamen embarked in the transports had been specially instructed in the work of connecting the troop boats and handling them even in rough weather.

The second division

left Italy in

three or four groups, the

first

reaching Benghazi under an escort of several battleships, cruisers,

and destroyers on October

Vittorio

18.

summons

to

surrender was

rejected, but a delay of eighteen hours

was allowed.

The

battleships

Emanuele

III.,

Eoma, and Napoli, with the

cruisers Amalfi

and Etruria, were to cover the landing. On the 19th, at 8 a.m., the ships opened fire, and a landing was effected, in spite of resistance on
the part of the enemy.

After the troops had occupied the outskirts

of the town, they were fired

became

so serious that the

Ijombard the town.

upon from the houses, and the losses Admiral was reluctantly compelled to Benghazi was then evacuated by the enemy, and
it next morning. Journal des Sciences MiliUiircs, accommodation

the Italians occupied

According

to the

in the troop transports

was allowed

at the rate of one cubic metre

each man, three cubic metres (3 '92 cubic yards) for each horse, and 10 '.1 cubic motres (13' 7 cubic yards) for each
for

(1-3 cubic yards)

; ;

170
vehicle.

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Similarly 1300 tons was allowed for each battalion
of

infantry with regimental transport, 900 tons for each squadron of

cavalry,

1100 tons

for

each battery of

artillery,

and 1400 tons

for

each proportion of ammunition.

Transport;
StcltlStlCS,

The report of an embarkation committee at Naples gives the The first December 31. steam transport left Naples on the night of October 6 for Tobruk
rt

following statistics of transports up to

subsequently in October there were thirteen different despatches of

in November, twenty-one despatches in and in December, twenty-one despatches in forty- three steamers, in all, 152 sailings in not more than fiftynine steamers. The total number of troops of all arms, noncombatants and others, embarked to December 31 was 101,389,

ships in fifty

steamers
;

fifty-nine

steamers

including about 4000

officers.

mules, 200 war dogs, and about 400 guns.

There were also 15,000 horses and In the sam.e period were
qs. of flour;
;

shipped 12,000 oxen for slaughter, with a weight of 42,000 quintals

40,000
qs.

of

wood

for

burning; 60,000

43,000

qs. of

hay

over 70,000 tons of drinking water

;

30,000 qs. of biscuits and

preserved meats

20,000 tons of barley; 16,000 hectolitres of wine;

and hundreds of tins of mineral waters, spirits, coffee, sugar, etc. The quintal of the metric system is equal to 1*968 cwt., and a
hectolitre is equal to 22 gallons.

Technical material included photo-

graphic apparatus, acetylene torches, material for a Decauville field

railway, fourteen aeroplanes, three balloons, with wood, cement, sand,

barbed wire for entanglements, spades,

etc.

Questions of Neutrality/.

A
either

Gazette Extraordinary

was issued on October 3 containing a

Proclamation of British neutrality, and citing the Act prohibiting the

enlistment of British subjects in the military or naval service of
of the

belligerent

Powers, the building of ships and the

furnishing of guns for a belligerent, and the equipment of expeditions

British

neutraiity.

any Power. All persons offending against the Act are liable and imprisonment, and " any person who aids, abets, counsels, or procures the commission of any offence against this Act shall be liable to be tried and punished as a principal offender." Despite the continued representations of the Italian Government ^ to the contrary, it was some time before anxiety was allayed in connection with the reported landing of Italian troops in Europe and the extension of the area of disturbance. The Italian Embassy in
against
to fine
-^
.

London issued the following note

The various rumours

of the landing of Italian troops in other parts of the Otto-

man Empire

than in Tripolitania and Cyrenaica are categorically denied.

CONTRABAND OF WAR.

171

Italy ha3 not the remotest intention of landing troops in any part of the Ottoman Empire except in Tripolitania and Cyrcuaica. A categorical denial in advance is given to any similar report that may come to hand later. The operations which the Italian Navy is compelled to carry out in European

waters are exclusively directed towards protecting Italian coasts, Italian open towns, the militar}' expedition to Tripoli, and Italian merchant ships in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas from contemplated Turkish raids.

On October 25, the Italian Government officially notified the Powers of the cessation of Ottoman rule in North Africa, and on November 5 a decree was signed placing Tripoli and Cyrenaica under
the entire sovereignty of Italy.

In
liable

its

Notice of Contraland,
capture,

the

Italian

(lovernment, while ContraJ^'J

defining all kinds of warlike stores and material as included, and

"whatever their destination," exempt. It was not so clear that Turkey intended to take a similar course, and it was reported of the Ottoman Governto

declared

coal

and

foodstuffs,

ment

that

it

proposed to treat corn consigned to Italian ports as

contraband of war.

On

October 12, therefore, the Eussian Govern-

ment lodged a protest was made to arrest or

Italian

against such action, stating that if

any attempt
the

confiscate cargoes of corn for Italian ports, so

field forces,

long as such cargoes were not destined for the Italian

would be regarded as a violation of the rights of Eussia. The Ottoman reply was considered satisfactory, and the passage of merchant vessels through the Dardanelles has been practically unrestricted. At the same time, the Turks have taken precautions by strengthening the foils and placing mines, with the institution of regulations for the passage of merchant
for Italian official consignees, it

Navy, or

ships through the Straits.

In February, in consequence of certain

Government Powers that should an Italian fleet appear off the Dardanelle.", the Straits would be closed with mines and the passage
reported
notified

movements
the

of Italian men-of-war, the Turkish

of neutral ships prohibited.

Not only in the Dardanelles, but at Salonika and other Macedonian ports, as well as in some of the
have the Turks improved their defences since the declaration
Blockad

islands,

of war.
l>y the end of October, the Navy had fulfilled the more important and strenuous portion of its work, and many of the ships were able

to return to their sisted

home

ports for

refit.

Thereafter,

its

duties con-

mainly in the suppression of the contraband trade which was carried on from European ports to the coast of Tripoli and Cyrenaica.

To prevent the war supplies reaching the enemy, a blockade has been enforced by cruisers and destroyers and by armed merchant vessels.
These last-named are vessels with a sea speed of from 18
to

19 knots,

and carry

six

or eight 4*7-in quick-firers.

They are manned by

naval reservists.

According

to a

statement in a technical journal

172

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

i'or

the mail steamers used

the purpose had not already

gun

positions

provided in the original design, but before the war broke out were
strengthened and fitted with gun
special magazines

platforms.

At the same

time,

were

fitted to carry

In addition
cruisers

to the blockade of the African coast,

250 rounds per gun. squadrons of

patrolled

and

flotillas

of

destroyers

the

Eastern

Medi-

To the blockaders was allotted the task of harrassing the caravans of war material which moved along the coast. With this object, on the Egyptian side, between Marsa Tobruk and the frontier, the port of Sidi Berrani was occupied by the Italians towards the end of November, and on the other side, Zuara, thirty miles from the
terranean.

Tunisian frontier, believed to be a depot for supplies, was bombarded. The Egyptian Government has taken energetic measures to prevent
smuggling, but on the Tunisian side the population
is

so strongly in

sympathy with the Arabs

and
Stoppage
of

across the frontier that it has been found

traffic in

almost impossible entirely to stop the

this circumstance caused

arms and ammunition,

some

irritation in Italy.

Several points of international law were raised in January by the

action of Italian men-of-war in regard to French mail steamers.

French

steamers.

In

January, the Carthage, the mail steamer between Marseilles and

Tunis, was stopped by an Italian destroyer and escorted to Cagliari

on the ground that in her cargo was an aeroplane intended

use of the Turks.
ordered the release of the ship

for the

After some negotiation, the Italian Government

on the assurance of the French Government that the owner had given an undertaking not to employ About the same time a his services or his aeroplane for the Turks.
Turkish Red Crescent mission
the Manouba, for Tunis.
Cagliari,
left

Marseilles in another mail steamer,

This ship was also stopped and taken to

where the Turkish passengers were landed and the ship The French Government again protested against Italian action, and a little later the Italian Government expressed itself satisfied that all the Turks were hond fide members of a Eed Crescent mission and ordered their release. Public opinion in France was
enlarged.

much

excited over this interference of the Italian authorities with

their mail steamers, but the friendly

and conciliatory attitude of the

all

Governments on

either side enabled an amicable adjustment of the

at.

matter to be arrived
Court.
Affair at

It

was decided that

questions arising

out of these incidents should be submitted to the

Hague

Arbitration

BejTout.

Another incident which arose out of the contraband

February 23.
Illah

traffic

was

the 'destruction of two Turkish ships in the Port of Beyrout on

In that port were two Turkish vessels, the Avni

and the Angora.

The former was an old armoured ship

of

THE AFFAIR AT BEYROUT.

2314 tons displacement,
carried
built in

173

four

6-in.

quick-firers

Angora was a sister vessel to long and displacing 165 tons, armed with two small machine guns, and launched in 1906. These two ships were believed to be affording help to the blockade runners, and on the morning in question the armoured cruisers Trancesco Ferruccio and Giuseppe Garibaldi arrived ojff the port and demanded the surrender of the two warships. This summons Avas communicated to the Governor and to the consular authorities, and the Turks were given until nine o'clock to comply. At that time, no reply having been received, the Italians opened fire and were replied to vigorously by the enemy. At 9.20 the Avni Ulah was silenced, a fire having broken out on board her. The Garibaldi then went into the port and destroyed the torpedo-boat. It is said that the Avni lUali was afterwards scuttled by her crew. Admiral Faravelli, in his report, denies the statement that the town was bombarded, and it appears that the damage said to have been caused by the fire from the ships was much exaggerated. Some of the people on shore were killed, and some buildings struck by the shells. A panic was caused in the town, but martial law was proclaimed by the Governor, and order quickly restored. In February, a blockade runner, carrying 250 tons of war material, macMne guns, rifles, shrapnel, grenades, etc., was captured by the
Italian patrol.
Ifiscellaneous.

1869 and re-armed in 1906. She and eighteen smaller guns. The the Tokat, a torpedo-boat 165*8 feet

To the regret
peritonitis

of everybody,

Admiral Aubry, who had commanded Admiral

from
death,

the fleet from the outbreak of war, died on board his ship

and professional experience much of the success of the operations was due. He was born in 1849, and first saw service in the war with Austria in 1866. He also took part in the Abyssinian campaign as a lieutenant in 1889. He was twice Under-Secretary of State for the Navy, and for a time sat as deputy successively for Castellammarc and Naples. He was succeeded in his command by Vice-Admiral Faravelli. By a Koyal Decree of November 26, a special flag was assigned
on
]\larcli
4.

To

his energy, capacity,

to the

naval lauding parties.

It

was

to be preserved generally

on

board the flagship, and to be handed to the commander of any naval

force landed
(i.e., if

a complete force), and with this

flag, in

reward
to

of the

gallantry already displayed

by the naval forces, the gold

medal of military valour was assigned

individuals.

that

is,

to the flag

and not

In proposing this award, Admiral Leonardi Cattolica,

the Minister of Marine, cited certain facts to

show the great

.s^-vices

"

174

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

of the seamen, " in preparing for and protecting the disembarkation

of
Conduct
of naval forces.

the Army," in which they had given many proofs which merited " both honour and reward."

of

valour,

On

the disembarkation of the

to their ships, but

landed in

seamen returned on October 23 two battalions of seamen were support of the troops. Admiral Borea Eicci, in his report,
of the

Army, most

said the perso7in el of the

Navy were

the admiration of all (fighting of

October 26-27), and in a later report he said that on the 26th a party

from the
to

Sicilia, scarcely

relaxing their

fire,

issued from the trenches

pursue the enemy.

General Caneva stated that he was glad to

confirm the sentiments of his admiration for the fine conduct of the

and men of the landing party, who had so valiantly assisted in happy result of the action. In connection with the affair at Benghazi, where the Navy lost one officer and six seamen killed, and two officers, one warrant officer, and eleven seamen wounded. General Briccola wrote that he was greatly contented with the seamen and the admirable troops and the seamen were praised in an order of the day by the Naval Commander-in-Chief The Turkish ship Derna has been renamed Bengazi in memory of the fighting there. The Thetis, another captured vessel, was renamed Capitano Verri. Pietro Verri was an Army captain who
officers

the

in the attack on Sciara-Sciat, on October 26, when the Italians were attacked in front and rear, fought with " tenacity worthy of our

ancient ancestors."
in

Finding himself near a party of young seamen

them against the enemy exclaiming Garahaldini del Mare f Amid a hail of bullets, sword in hand, and in the midst of the young
the trenches,

north of Henni, he joined

" Avanti
"
!

them and

led

seamen, he

fell

with the cry of " Savoia

is still

As

the

war

in progress, it

would be premature

to

attempt

to indicate all the lessons it

may

contain from a naval point of view.

Hitherto, however, there

is

no evidence to show that in connection

with such encounters as have taken place there will be

value to obtain with regard to tactics or design.

much

of

On

the other hand,

when
able,

the full accounts of the transport of the expedition are avail-

much

useful information about equipment, stowage,

etc.,

should

manner in which and execution was carried out by the Italian Navy has aroused the admiration of all seamen. And, finally, as the First Lord of the Admiralty said on March 18, the events of the that struggle have " reminded the world of those eternal troubles unreadiness for war did not secure peace, that insufficient strength invited aggression, and that the I'ower which commanded the sea was itself immune from attack." Chas. N. Eobinson.
be forthcoming.
the
silent, resolute, business-like

The

work

of preparation

PART
LIST OF BRITISH

II.

AND FOREIGN ORDNANCE TABLES.

SHIPS.

PART

II.

LIST OF BEITISH
The
List
:

AND FOREIGN

SHIPS.

following abbreviations are used throughout the Alphabetical

a.c.

a.g.b.
b.

Armoured cruiser, Armoured gunboat.

Battleship.
Battle-cruier.

H.s.

Harveyised
hard-faced

or
steel.

similar

K.s.

Krupp

steel,

b.cr,
c.d.s.

shd.
p.
t.
t.

Sheathed,
Protected.

Coast-defence ship,

comp. (io armour column). Compound

or steel-faced armour.
cr.

Turret-ship(in class column)

Speed and I.H.P. at

(in

trials

Cruiser.

speed

and

I.H.P.

d.v.
g.b.

Despatch
Gunboat.

vessel.
to.cr.

columns),
Torpedo-cruiser,

Gun-vessel.
1.

to.g.b.

Torpedo-gunboat.

Light guns under 15 cwt., including boats' guns.

M.
sub.

A.

Machine guns. Submerged torpedo tube. Armstrong guns. K.

Krupp

guns.

The following abbreviations

types of boilers
:

are used to distinguish the various

W.T.

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245

SHIPS BELONGING TO POWERS

WHOSE NAVIES

ARE OF LESSER IMPORTANCE.

is used gunboats for the Danube built at Leghorn. The Nadiezda, despatch vessel (715 tons), launched Bordeaux, 1898; 18-85 knots; 2600 I.H.P. Lagrafel-d'Allest boilers; armament, 2 3'9-in., 3 l"8-in. q.f., and 2 torpedo tubes. Three 100-ton 26-knot torpedo boats launched 1907 three smaller.

Bu Igaria. Eleven steamers of small size, of which one

the Prince's yacht.

as

Two armoured

Colombia. The cruiser Almirante Lezo (eic El Baschir), of 1200 tons displacement; 2500 H.P. 18 knots; built 1892, bought from Morocco, 1902. Two gunboats, Chercuito, 643 tons, and Bogota. Two river gunboats, General Nerino and Esperanza, 400 tons.
;

Cuba. Cruiser Cuba, 2055 tons, 3500 H.P., 18 knots, and gunboat Patria, 1200 tons, 1500 H.P., 16 knots.
Ecuador.
bought from

The

torpedo cruiser Almirante Simpson, 812 tons,

transport vessels.

Chili.

One torpedo boat and two

Egypt. ^-The
Hafir,

Nile stern-wheel gunboats Sultan, Sheikh and

;

Melik, 140 tons, Fateh and Naseh, 128 tons

also the

Abu

Klea,

Metemmeh, and Tamai. Hayti. Steel gunboat Capois

la

1200 tons, armed with 1 3-9-in. Q.F., 2 3-9-in. b.l., 2 1., 2 m. Two sloops St. Michael and 1804. Gun-vessel, 22nd of December. The gunboat Liberte was blown up and destroyed, with a loss of 70 lives. It is stated that the Italian cruiser Umbria, 2245 tons, has been bought..
l-pr. Q.F.

and 4

Iron corvette

Dessalines,

Mort, 260 tons,

13-9-in.,

Tampico and Vera Cruz, launched armament, 4 4-iu. Q.F., 6 6-pr. bow torpedo tube 2400 I.H.P. speed, 16 knots fitted to serve as transport for 200 troops. Gun vessels Bravo and Morero, 1200 tons 2600 I.H.P. Blechynden boilers 17 knots launched Leghorn, 1904. The Zaragoza, 1200 tons, 1300 H.P., 15 knots speed, and armed with 4 4-7-in. guns and 4 small quickfiring guns. Gun-vessel, Democrata, 450 tons; 11 knots; 2 O^-in. muzzle-loaders and 2 small guns. Torpedo transport General Guerrero, 1880 tons; 1200 I.H.P.; completed at Barrow 1908.
gun-vessels,
;

Mexico.

Two
New
; ;

Elizabethport,

Jersey, 1902

displacement, 980 tons

; ;

Two

small gunboats of 10 knots speed.

Five torpedo boats.

Two
40
ft.

cruisers,

2400

tons, to be built.

Peru.

Almirante
ft.

Grau, cruiser, 3200 tons; 370

;

ft.

long,

6 in. beam, 14

3 in. draught

lauuched at Barrow, March, 1906

246
2
6-in.,

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

8 14-pr.,
Ij-pr. 2 submerged torpedo tubes; l^-in. conning tower; 14,000 I.H.P. 24 knots. A in hand at the same yard. Eclaireur, cruiser, 1769

armoured deck,
sister vessel is

3-iu.

tons,

launched 1877, partially reconstructed

cruiser

Armoured

Dupuy

bought from France. de Lome, purchased for 140,000, and

;

renamed Elias Aquirre. Seven submarines are to be built in the United States. Lima, of 1700 tons, 1800 I.H.P., 16 knots armament, 2 6-in. B.L.R. guns. Screw steamer, Santa Eosa, about 400 tons.
;

ROU mania. Elizabeta,

;

protected cruiser (deck 3

;

in.),

built

in

1887 at Elswick 230 ft. long, 32 ft. 10 in. beam 1320 tons 3000 I.H.P,; armament, 4 5'9-in. b.l.r., 4 q.f., 2 M., 4 torpedo tubes. Composite gunboat Mircea, 360 tons Grivitza, 110 tons. Two gunboats of 45 tons, and 3 first-class torpedo-boats, these forming the sea division. For the Danube, the gunboats Eulgurul, Oltul, Siretul, Bistritza, 90 to 100 tons, the torpilleur de harrage Alexandru eel Bun (104 tons), 5 sloops, 2 small torpedo boats. The shipbuilding programme includes 8 monitors of 600 tons, 12 torpedo-boats and 8 vedettes for the Danube, and 6 coast-defence vessels of 3500 tons, 4 destroyers of 300 tons, and 12 torpedo-boats for the Black Sea. Four monitors (3 4*7-in. guns) and 3 torpedo-boats completed.
;

Santo Domingo. The

1894, 170
ft.

Independencia, built in England

long, 25

ft.

broad, displacement 322 tons, and

armed

with seven Hotchkiss quick-firing guns. Eestauracion, steel gunvessel, 1000 tons, launched at Glasgow in 1896. The 14-knot cruiser Presidente has been reconstructed, and carries seven guns.

SaraVA^ak.

Two

gunboats, of 175 and 118 tons respectively,

of low speed, each

Deck-protected cruiser, Maha Chakrkri, 290 ft. long, beam, of 2500 tons displacement and 17 to 18 knots speed; armament, four 4*7-in.-, and ten 6-pr. quick-firing guns. Makut-Eajakamar, 650 tons. The gunboats Bali, Muratha, and Sugrib, 600 tons, one 4*7-in. q.f., five 2*2 in., four 1*4 in., 12 knots, launched 1898 and 1901. Several other gunboats, Three modern despatch vessels 100 to 250 tons. Three 380-tor, 27-knot destroyers, built at Kobe.

Siam.
ft.

armed with two guns.

39

in.

Uruguay.
Italian
built at the

Gunboats:

speed, 2 4*7-in. (Krupp), 2 m.

General Artigas, 274 tons, 12^ knots and General Saurez, 300 tons. The

The cruiser Uruguay, Vulcan Yard, Stettin; 1100 tons; 2 4-7-in., 4 12-pr., 12 Maxims; 2 18-in. torpedo tubes; 5700 I.H.P.; 23 knots.
cruiser Dogali has been purchased.

Venezuela. The gunboats Bolivar (571 tons, 18-6 knots) and Miranda (200 tons, 12 knots) transports Eestaurador (568 tons), and Zamora (350 tons).
;

. . .

BRITISH TORPEDO-BOATS.

247

BRITISH AND FOREIGN TORPEDO-ROAT FLOTILLAS.

Great Britain.

N4m or Number.

Built by.

I
Orrat Britain. Toriii>o-BoAT I)|8TKOT>R8.

fBoKfr
fBrulier Cooflkl

.. ..

.. ..

Tbomycroft

265

White
I^AJnl

..
.
.

Dragoo
Kervent + Hn<ly

Hanna

Kalrtieia
. . .

'HMty
Llgtitaiog

Yanx>w. Palmer
.

Opoasiun Purcapine

IlawUioru
I'aliner

lUmxer
Sonftab
Snrljr
1

lUwthum Kan thorn

Tbomson Whlt

TetMT
Wliard Zebf
!

Zephyr

Thames Iruuworks; Hauna

Thuriiycroft

tAjbaUQM
Angler

..

..

Arab

Browu k
Vickers

Co.
.

fATon
Bat thltteni Braien fBallflncb
Cbeerfiil

Palmer..
Vlckere

Brown k

Co.
.
.

tCoqnette

Crane
tCjrgnet

'

KarleCo. Hawthorn Thomycrofl Palmer Tbomycroft

fCjmthU
tDove

..

flieaperato

EunoA
JCtoctrm

..
..

kxpTH*
Fairy tralooo

..

fFam* Fawn
FUit.. . Flylac FUl

tFoam

Olpv
Orey bound UrtSon
Kartral

Kan^wioo
l>pcn

Uvely
Locnat

tMaUanl Meraald MyrmlOob OrweU

Otffrtj

fOHilch
(Mtar

.. . .

. . . . . . , . . . . . . . . .

.. . . . . . .

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Great Britain
Dimensions.

248

continued.

Name

or

Number.

Built by.

Torpedo Boat
Destroteks. Roebuck.. ..
Seal Spiteful
.

Feet,

Feet.

Hawthorn
Laird
.

Talmer
.
.

1901 1897 1899

210 218-0

21 20-0

Sprightly , tStag
Star Success
.

Laird , Thornycrot't

Palmer Doxford
.
.

tSylvia Syren

. .

. .
. .
.

Palmer

Taku
Thorn
Thrasher
Vigilant fViolet Virago

Schlchau

Brown & Co
Laird
.

Brown &
Doxford
Laird
.

Co,

. . , .

oVixen
Vulture
. . . . . . . . .
.

Vickera
. .

Brown & Co
Palmer
Laird
. .

Whiting

Wolf
Derwent JEden

Hawthorn
Palmer Yarrow
Laird
.

Exe
Ribble Itchen
.
.

. .

Usk
Teviot
Ettrick
. . . .
. . .

Yarrow. Yarrow. Palmer

Laird
.

Foyle

.
.

Erne

Palmer
Laird
.

Arun
Cherwell
.

Dee
Jed Kennet JVelox
AVelland
.
. .

Palmer Palmer Thomycroft

.
.

Parsons.

Waveney
. .

Hawthorn
.

Chelmer Boyue
Colne
. .
.

DooH
Garry Kale Rother
Liffey
.
. .

Yarrow. Thomycroft Hawthorn Thomycroft Hawthorn Yarrow.

Hawthorn
Palmer
Laird
.
.

. .
.
.

Moy
Ness Nlth Ouse Swale
. . .
.

White
Laird

.
.

Ure

....
. .
.

Wear

Palmer Palmer Palmer

. . . .. . . . .

. . . . . . . .

. . .. . . .

. . .

BRITISH TORPEDO-BOATS.

249

Great Britain
Dimensions.

continued.

Name

or

Number.

Unlit by.

S^
oj.3

&I

oceax-c.oixo

Feet.

Feet.

Feet.

Knots.
855 890 880 865 872 980\ 970/
3 11045
14, 14,

Destuoteks.
tAfridi

f*Co88ack

l*Ghurka

^Mohawk
t'Tartar

Armstrong Cammell Laird Hawthorn White .. ..

.
.

Thornycroft

^Saracen f'Amazon
^[Crusader l*Mai J*Maorl .
.

White

..

..

Thornycroft

White
.

..

..

Denny
Thornycroft

t*Nubian +*Viking
J 'Zulu
flAlbacore

..
..

..
..
..

Palmer

..

Hawthorn
Palmer b

1907 1907 1907 1907 1907 1908 1908 1909 1909 1909 1909 1909
1908.

250 270 255 270 270 272 280 280 280 280 280 280
215

25 26 25-7 25 26 26 26i 26
27

8-6 9-3 9-3 8-10 9-1 9-6

32-75 33-15
34

5-l2-pr8.

26i 27-3
27

8-8 9-1 8-7 8-9

3 3 3

1035 9S5 1000 1000

.5,500 .5,500 ,5,500 .5,500 ;5,500

34-51 35-67 33-8 33-73 35 33 34-88

34

3-12 prs.
2-4-in.
B.I..

92ie 78 98 74 76 84e 86e 99e 103e 97i

102^
94e

oBonetta
^[{Basilisk

21

440

7,000

20-75

3-12 prs.

43^

+}BeaKle

White .. John Brown

WBuUdog

..

..

1$ Foxhound

iSOrasshopper

Fairfield

fs^Ha^py .. l^Mosquito

..

White
Fairfield
.
. .

iJNamilus
jJPlncher
..
.

Thames Ironworks
..

ijRacoon

JJRattlesnake
IftRenard
.

.
;

I enny Cammell Laird Lend. & Glasgow Co Cammell Laird

.
.

1910 1909 1909 1909 1909 1909 1910 1910 1910 1910
1910

275 269 269 269 271 275 271 267i 2711 266

28 ' 26-7 26-7 26-7 27i 28

271 28

28i 28
27 i

935' 860 860 860 890 935 890 M2,500 1050 940 920 900 9-3 920 885 890 925 920

2798^
27-12 27-4 27-7 27-04 27-75 27-12 28-1 27-17 27-07

1-4-in., 3-12 prs.

270i

27-03
"

ijsavage
l^iScourge

Thornycroft
Fairfield

ToScorpion..
.

ijWolverine
fjStour I^Test
. . .

Hawthorn Cammell Laird

.

1909 1910 1910 1910 1910

266 264 271 266i 266

28 28 27-9 28 28

8-6

12,500

27-16 27-1 27-06

27-1

1-4-in., 3-12 prs.

Cammell Laird c.
John Brown
1910 1910 1910 1910 1910 1910 1911 1910 1910 1910 1910/ 1911 1910 1910 1911 1910 1910 1910 1911 1910 1911 1911 191li 1911 1911 1911
1911

7,000

25 '58

26-62

4-12-prs.

66i

T*Aooni

/27-22\

+*Alann
i*Bri8k

. .

d
28-03 27-09

I*Cameleon +*Comet

l*Goldflnch

'Fury Hope
t*Larrie

Inglls

Swan, Hunter
Thornycroft

d d d
72

. .

*Lyra
t*Mrtln
f
..
.

240

13,500

(2-4-in. B.L.A
.

..

2-12-pr8.

Minstrel

{Nemesis
t*Nereide

V
) i

J*Nymphe
^f*Redpole 1 Rifleman
..
.

d d
29-14 29-3 30-23

.}
I
. i

\\Tiite

^(Rnby
l^Sheldrake
. . .

i^SUnnch
! Acheron l^Ariel

/
i

Denny

d
d
251| 251} 26-4
26-4 780 13,500 13,500 13,550

. .

Thornycroft

30-4 30-9
30

I
I

j^Archer

I'AtUck
I*Badger l^Beavcr ^Defender l*Druld 5*FeiTet
^[Forester

/
I

Yarrow..
1

2 4-in. Q.F., 1 2 12-prs. J 2 4-in. Q.F., \ 2 12pr8. /

/
.
.

Parsons..

f
I

251|

26-4

780

2 4-in. Q.P., 1 2 12-prs. i

/
(

Denny
White

/
. .

1911\ 1911
1911 1911 1911 1911 1911 1911 1911 1911 1911 1911 1911

..

..
.

f
I

{Goshawk iHlnd
t*Horaet
..
.

licardmore
I

John Brown

t*Hydra
t*Jackal Tigress

iBl.lg.

240

25t

13,600

27

2 4-ln. Q.F., \
2 12-pr8.
/

..

Hawthorn Cammell
Vlckers.

..

/
I

liApwing t^Llaard ..
I'Phoeni'c
.

I.aird

(
I

{Sandfly .. Firedraku

Swan, Hunter

t*Lnrcher

Yarrow
for

Bldg.

256

26-7

780

32

<

4-ln. Q.T.,

Oak
Fitted

2 12-pr8.

\ /

72

174

oil fuel. t Have Thornycroft W.T. Iniileri. % I'itted with modified Yarrow W.T. boilers. and for uoliiRcoal. ^1 Fitted with U hlle-Forster boilers. 6 Purchased after completion, March, 1909, to replace Tiger and Gala. e Purcha.scd after completion, Dea-mber, 1909, to replace Blackwater and Lee. d Dtslgnrd speed, '27 knots trial poo<l not published. e Kstimatfd.

with turblnea and

ualug

5 Fitted with turbliu-s

. . . .

. . . .

. . , . . .

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Great Britain
continued.

250

Name

or

Number.

Built by.

M
OCEAK-GOIKQ Destroyers
+*Aca8ta J*Achate9 J*Ambiiscade J* Ardent
t*Chri>topher J*Cockatrice J*Contest
..)
. .

contd.
John Brown
.

Feet.
. .

Feet.

Feet.

Tons.
935

Knots.
32
31
3 4-iu. 3 4-in.

Bldg, Bldg.

260
25T

27

8-3

Denny
..}
..)

26}
n

80
8-3 8-0 8-0 8-0

Hawthorn
Fairfield

Bldg.
Bldg. Bldg. Bldg.

260
257 257 257

24,500

32
31 31 32

3 4-in.
3 4-in. 3 4-in. 3 4-in.

i*Fortnne
i*Garlaii(i

l*Hardy (a) J*Lynx l*Midge

Parsons ... Thornycroft

:
.

26i
26 i

rOwl

London and Glasgow Co.

Bldg.

24,500

J*Paragon
I*Poipoi8e

J*Unity
J*Victor

Thornycroft..
..

Bldg.

2t)i

t*Shark
J*Spiifire

..j
.
.

t*Sparrowbawk

Swan Hunter

24,500

20 boats (programme 1912-13)

Torpedo Boats.
First Class

025-027(3 boats).. 033 034

041, 042 (2 boats),!

Thornycroft.

Yarrow White ..
.

..

1886 1886 1886

127-5 125 125

12-5 13 14-6

6-2 5-5 4

600 670 950

19-5 18-19

2-3 prs. 2-3 prs.

049-055 (7 boats), V 057, 058 (2 boats)\

Thorny crolt.

700

2-3

prs.

065-068(4 boats)..) 071-07 4 (4 boats) .A Yarrow 076-078 (3 boats) ,.( 079

80
81 (e.r-Swift)..
..
.
.

1886
1886 1887 1885 1889 1889 1894 1895 1894 1893 1894 1893 1901 1888 1888 1889 1901 1902 1903 1906 1906-7 1907 1907 1907 1907-8 1907-8 1907 1908 1908 1908 1908 1909 1909

125 125 135 150 130 130 142 140 140 140 140 140 160 130 '5 134-6 130 160 166 165 175 166i 172 182 180 178-6 185 177-3 177 182 180 178 6 185 177

13 13 14 17-5 13-5 13-5 14-75 14-25 15 15-5 15-5 15-5 17

14

75 75 105 125 85 85
.112

2-3 prs.

1,000 1,540
1,160 1,100 1,600 1,430 2,400 2,200 2,000 2,690 2,850 1,060 1,050 1,250 2,850 2,900 2,900 3,750 3,750 3,750 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000 4,000

22-4 23

83 (2 boats) 85-87 (3 boats) 88, 89 (2 boats) 90 91, 92 (2 boats) 93 95, 96 (2 boats)

82,

White Yarrow

Thornycroft.

97
98, 99 (2 boats)
.

101
102, 103 (2 boats)..

White' .. Laird Thornycroft. Hl'Arthur . Thornycroft

. . .

104-105(2 boats)..
107, 108 (2 boats).. 109-113 (5 boats).. 114-117 (4 boats)..

White
White JJWhite

..

14-8 14-5
17

7-1

Thornycroft.
.,
. .

..
.

^Sh
*

'?

15 boats (1-5)
(2 boats

..

boats (6-10)t (11-12)+ 7 '4 boats (13-16) .. g 2 boats (17-18)J..

4[Thornycroft

S
!

^[Yarrow White ..

..

Denny

S
Q-

2 boats (19-20)t
2 boats

Thornycroft

(21-22)j
..

Hawthorn
Yarrow.. Palmer White ..
.

No. VNo.

23+ 24J

..

..

..

boats 2 boats 14 2 boats 2 boats 3 boats

(25-2S) (29-30)1 (31-32)t (33-34)1 (35-36)1

..
.

Denny

. .

Thomycrolt.

Hawthorn Palmer ,
.

. .

17-25 8-4 17-6 8-8 5-8 Hi \U 6-3 5-3 18 5-10 18 5-6 IS 18-3 6.5 18-6 6-6 5-4 IS 17-9 6-5 6-6 18 5-3 18 18-75 6-2 18-6 6-5 17-9 6-6

100 130 130 130 130 178 92 96 95 178 200 205 235 255 225 256 251 280 308 253 292 283 259 287 306 298

23-24 23-5 23-2 23-35 25

21

23-2 20 25 25 25 26 27-3 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26-5 26 26

2-3 prs. 4-3 prs. 6-3 prs. 3-3 prs. 3-3 prs. 3-3 prs. 3-3 prs. 3-3 prs. 3-3 prs. 3-3 prs. 3-3 prs. 3-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 3-3 prs. 3-3 prs. 3-3 prs. 2-12 prs. 2-12 prs. 2-12 prs. 2-12 prs. 2-12 prs. 2-12 prs. 2-12 prs. 2-12 prs. 2-12 prs. 2-12 prs. 2-12 prs. 2-12 prs. 2-16 prs. 2-12 prs.

Fitted with turbines and for using oil fuel. f Have Thornycroft W.T. boilers. ir These boats were originally named, as shown in the Xaval a Fitted with Diesel engines for cruising purposes.

Annual

J Fitted with modified Yarrow W.T. boilers. for 1906-1907. f 1000 knots.

BRITISH TORPEDO-BOATS.

261

Great Britain
I'imeiiBions.

continued.

Number.

Built by.

Submarines. 2boatB(No3. A2, A4,

1902-3)
9

JMcKers
i

>,..

1903
1904

boats (No8.

A 13,
11 boats

5..

1903-4)

.. J

10

(B Class) boats (1905-6)

1905
)

class

"

1906-7

5boats(1906-7)C12-16! 1 boat (1906-7) D 1 .

1907-8 1908
1908

^20.V'"^^!?'':K''-*'bain
10 (.1907-8>^

1909
fl908l

C 21-C
C
7
2.';-

24 30

Urj
J
[

,.,

2 (1908-9)

C 33- 34
. .
. .

Cbatbam
Vickers

11909/ 1910
1909)

(1908-9) C 31-C 32

C 35 C 36 C 37-C 38

D2

....
.

1909>
1910)

2 (1909-lU) D 7-U 8. 4 (1909-10) I) 3-D 6.. 2 (1910-11) K1-E2..

Cbatbam
Vickers

1910 1911 1911

Bliig.

Cbatbam 4(1910-11)E3-E6.. Vickers 2(1911-12)E7-K8..' Cbatbam

3 (1911-12) E9-E 11. Vickers (1911-12). Special igcotth' 1 Laureuti type .. i^*'^"*

Bldg. Bldg.
Blclg.

"

Bldg.

. .

252

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Argentine Republic.
Dimensions.

Name

or

Number.

Where

Built.

Desthoyers
Corrlentes

. . . . .
.

Missiones Entre Elos

Santiago, llendoza,
.Salta,

Yarrow Yarrow Yarrow

1896 1896 1896

Feet. 190 190

Feet. 19 6

Feet.

190 285

19-6 19-6 29-9

7-4 7-4 7-4 9-6

I

.San Luis, .Santa e,\

TucumanJ Cammell
Kioja,|
.

San Juan Catamarca, Jiyny Coriloba, La Plata

FiBST Class
2 boats 6 boats

283-2

28-3
27-1 29-6

9-9

Geimania
Schicbau
Thornycroft

1911 1911

2SG-7 279 160 130

9-6 7-3 5-2 6

Yarrow
1890-1 1890

14-5 13-6

. . . .

. .

FOREIGN TORPEDO-BOATS.
Brazil.

253

s
Name
or

Number.

Where

Built.

1
Dkstroters
Para

. . .

Amazouas
Plahuy Matto G rosso . Parahyba Kio Grande do N. Alagoas Santa Catbarina Parana
. .

Yarrow

Sergipe

FiKST Class Pedro Ivo.

Silvado

JKlbing

. .

Qoyaz

. .

Gonzales

Yarrow Thomycroft

. . . . . .

. .

. . . . . . . . . . . .
.

. . . . , . . . . . . .

254

THE NAVAL ANNUAL. Denmark.

Dimensions.

Nams or Number.

Where

Built.

First Class

Copenhagen Copenhagen Copenhagen Copenhagen Thomycroft Thomycroft Thomycroft Copenhagen Thomycroft Copenhagen Thomycroft Havre.. Copenhagen Thomycroft Thomycroft
1907
1896)

Feet.

Feet.

Feet.

Tons.

Ormen
Hajen

125

14-3 15-4
12-6
14

HavSmen
SSbjSmen
Delfinen
.

1897> 1898)

164'3
lll'S 137-9 114 140 137-9 140
131

7-9

Havheeten
Hvalrossea Makrelec .

Narhvalen Nord Kaperen

SolSven . S6ulven . Springeren StSren
Svaerdflsken

1883 1888 1884 1893 1888 1893 1887 1880 1891 1887 1881

6
7

94-8
119 131 110

12-6 14-2 14 14-2 14-8 10-9 13 14-8 12

6-6
7
7 7

6-8 3-9 4-9 6-8

Destroyers (230 tons, 27 knots), built and building, as follows iFlyvesfisken (Schichan); Soriddereu (Yarrow), 27-2 knots; Soulven, Spaekhuggeren (Copenhagen dockyard); Tumleren, Vindhunden (Burmeister and Wain). Electric submersible Dikkeren, delivered by F.I.AT. Co., Muggiano, 1909. Length, luft. 3 in. ; bram, lift. ; 103-130 tons, 12-7J knots. Submersibles Havmanden and Havfruen, of the Holhind type, are being built by the Whitehead companj', one at Fiume, the other at Copenhagen dockyard.

France.
Dimensions.

Name

or

Number.

Where

Biiilt.

9-

Destroters
ArbalSte
. .

Feet,

Feet,

Feet.

Tons.
300 300 300 300 300 300 715 715 320 305 430 335 715 300 469 454 730 335 335 335 730 310 300 335 300 300 430 430 320 469 430 715 300 335 715 305 300 430 335 335 305 300 430 469 300 469 469 335 335

Normand
Chalon

Arc
Arquebuse
Ballste Belier
. .

.
.

Normand Rouen

Bombarde
Bouclier

Nantes Havre (F.&C

Normand
. .

Bontefeu Branlebas Carabine

Carabinl3r Carquois

Bordeaux

Normand
.

. .
.

Rochefort

.
.

Rouen
.

.
. .

Rocliefort
.
.

Casque
Catapulte Cavalier

Havre(F.&C,

. .
.
.

Havre(F.&C Normand
.

Chasseur Cimeterre

Normand
Bordeaux

. .

Claymore Cognee
Coutelas

Normand
.

Toulon
Rochefort
.

Dague Dard Dnrandal Epee Epieu

Escopette Ktendard

Bordeaux

Rouen
.

Normand
Normand
Rochefort

Havre (F.&C.
.

. .
. .

. .

Fanion Fanfare
Fantasein
.
.

Bordeaux Bordeaux

.
.

Normand
.

Havre (F.&C.

Fauconnean
Faulx

Normand
Nantes
Rochefort Rochefort

1903 1903 1902 1903 1903 1903 1910 1909 1907 1902 1908 1907 1909 1903 1910 1909 1909 1906 1907 1907 1910 1903 1899 1900 1903 1900 1908 1908 1907 1909 1904 1911
1901 1907 1909 1904 1903 1907 1908 1968 1899 1903 1909 1910 1903 1909 1909 1908 1906

Flamberge

Flenret Foiirche Francisque..

. .

183 183 183 183 183 183 233 233 193 183 210 190 233 183 210 210 246 190 190 190 246 183 180 190 183 183 210 210 193 210 210 233 183 190
233

20-11 20-11 20-11 20-11 20-11 20-11 24-9 24-9 ^1-3 20-11 21-9 19-6 24-9 20-11 21-8 21-9 26

2011
20-11 JO-11 26

2011
20-8 20-8 20-11 20-8 21-9 21-9 21-3 21-8 21-9 24-9 20 8
20- 11

Fronde Gabion
Glaive

. .
.

Nantes Rochefort Bordeaux

Rouen
Rochefort
.

Hache
Hallebarde

Toulon

Normand
.
.

. .

Harpon
Hussard
Janissaire Javeline

Bordeaux
Lorient

. .
.

Rouen

Lasnquenct

Mameluck
Massne
Mortler

. .

. .

Nantes Bordeaux Nantes Toulon

Rochefort

183 183 210 190 190 180 183 210 210 183 210

24-9 20-11 20-11 21-9 20-11

20-11 20-8 20-11 21-9 21-8 20-11

218
21-8
I

210 190
190

2011
20-11

. .

10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 9-7 9-7 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 9-7 10-3 10-3 10.3 9-7 10-3 10-3 10-3 9-7 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 9'7 10-3 10-3 9.7 lC-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10 3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3

6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 15,000 13,000 5,000 6,300 7,200 7,200 13,000 6,000 8,600 7,200
13,.')00

Knots, 28 28 28 29-4 28 30-5 31 31 28 28 28

30
31 28 31-2 28 31

6,000 6,000 6,000 13,000 6,500 5,000 5,700 6,000 5,700 6,000 6,000 6.000 8,600 6,000 13,000 6,700 6,000 13,000 6,300 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,000 5,300 6,000 7,200 8,600 7,000 8,600 8,600 6,000 6,300

30-3 28
31 29-4 28 26 28 26 28 23 28 30-5 28 31 26 28 31 28

28 28 28
28 27-2 28 28 28-6 29-3 28 28
28

28

. . .

. . .

. . . . . . . . .

FOREIGN TORPEDO-BOATS.
France

265

continued.

Dimensions.

Name or Number.

AVhere Built.

I>ESTROTKRS
Feet.
COIlt.

11
Knots.

Feet,

Tons,
300 300 335 430 300 335 335 300 335 300 305 430 300 430 305 430 335 280 410 335 335 430 335

Mousquet Mousqueton
ObuFier

Nantes
Chfilon

Rochefort

Oriflamme
Pertnisane
Plerrier

Nantes
Rochefort Rochefort Havre (F.&C.) Nantes Rochefort Rochefort Rochefort
.
.

Pique
Plstolet PoigTiard

Rapiere Sabre Sabretacbe Sagaie

Nantes Havie(F.&C.)

Sape Sarbacane
Spahi
Stvlet

Rouen
Rochefort
.

Havre

Takou

Rochefort Elbing

Tirailleur

Bordeaux
Rochefort Rochefort

Tromblon
Trident Voltigeur

. .

Vatagan
Borv, Gamier, Riviere, Melil, Dchorter (S)
. . .
-

Nantes Nantes

1902 1903 1907 1908 1900 1906 1900 1903 1909 1901 1904 1908 1902 1907 1903 1908 1915 1898 1908 1905 1907 19(9 1900
1911
Bldg.
1911

183-9 183-9 190-3 210-6 183-9 190-3 190-3 1H3-9 190-3 183-9 183-9 210-6 183-9 210-6 183-9 210-6 190-3 193-7 206-9 190-3 190-3 210-6 190-3

20-H 10-3 2011 10-3

20- 11

21-9 20-8 20-11 20-8 20-11 20-11 20-8 20-11 21-9 20-11 21-9 20-11 21-9 20-11 21-0 21-8 21-0 19-6 21-9 20-8

10-3 10-3 10.3 10.3 10.3 10.3 10.3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3 10-3

6,300 6,000 6,300 6,000 5,700 6,300 5,700 6,000 6,000 5,700 6,300 6,000 6,000 6,000 6,300 7,200 6,300 6,000 7,200 6,300 7,200 7,200 5,700
18,000

30-2
28 28 28 26 28 26 28 28 26 28 28 30-1 28 28 28

l-9pr. l-9pr. l-9pr. l-9pr. l-9pr. l-9pr. l-9pr. l-9pr. 1.9pr. l-9pr. l-9pr.

6-3prs. 6-3pr8. 6-3pr8. 6-3pr8. 6-3pr8. 63-pr8. 6-3pr8. 6-3pr8. 6 3pr8. 6-3prs. 6-3pr8.

62 62 62 62 62 62 62 62
75 120 75 67
1-20

25
28 25

30
28 26

Normand, &c
Toulon,
etc.

213 243
214-6

24-9 24-9 21-6

6-9 prs. l-9pr. 6-3pr8. l-9pr. 6-3pr8. l-9pr 6-3pr8. 6-9 prs. l-9pr. 6-3pr8. 6-3 pr. Q.F. 6-9 pr. 6-3 pr. Q.F. l-9pr. 6-3pr3. 6-9 prs. l-9pr. 6-3pr8. (2 3-9-ln., ^ 4 9 pre. J I
I

67

62 62 62

37 120

33

liisson, I'cnaudin,

Protet,

Magon, Conim. Lucas Manwini (6) Henry, Herbert (2)

.

100
7-8

750

18,000

f2 3-9-in., 4 9 prs.

1 J

Rochefort

450

8,600

6 9 prs.

SBA-CrOlHG-

Aquilon Archer Audacieux

Normand Normand

..

Averne
Boree . Bouixasque
. .

Nantes Havre(F.&C.) Bordeaux

.

Chevalier

Cyclone

Normand Normand Normand

Normand Normand Normand Normand

. .

Daupbin Dragon
Fllbufltler

Havre(F.&C.)
. . .
|

..

Forban Grenadier Grondeur Kabyle Laucier

. .
.

. .

Havre (F.&C.)! La Seyne

. .
.

Normand
Nantes
.

Mangini
Mistral

Orage

. ,

Rafale.. Sarrasin

..

Normand La Seyne Normand

.
.

Simoom
Slroco
. . .

Bourdeaux.. Havre (F.&C.)

Normand
St. Denis Bordeaux Nantes Havre (F.&C.)

Tourmente Tramontane

Trombe Typhon

1895 1893 1900 1894 1900 1901 1893 1898 1894 1892 1894 1895 1892 1892 1891 1893 1896 1901 1891 1901 1893 1901 1901 1891 1910 1900 1901

137-8 138 144-2

141

147-7 147-7 144-3 144-2

141

138 143 144-2 138 147-5 144-3 138 147-6 147-7 144-3 147-7 139 144-2 147-7
141

147-7 144-2 144-2

14-6 14-7 15-2 16-4 16-7 16-7 15-7 15-2 16-4 14-7 16-4 15-2 14-7 14-6 14-7 14-7 14-8 16-8 14-7 16-7 14-7 15-2 16-8 16-4 16-7 15-2 15-2

7-9 6-5 lO-O 9-3 8-0 8-0 6-8 10-0 9-3 8-2 9-3
10

8-2
5 7-7

8-2 7-9 8-8

7-7 8-0 7-7 10-0 8-8 9-3 8-0 10-0

100

127 131 152 133 160 160 134 152 137 129 132 135 129 130 128 128 129 182 128 160 131 152 182 132 160 152 152

2,000 1,250 4,200 1,500 4,400 4,400 2,700 4,200 1,500 1,400 1,500 3,200 1,400 1,550 1,100 1,400 2,100 4,200 1,100 4,400 1,100 4,200 4,200 1,500 4,400 4,200 4, 200

26-17 21 30

24-4 30 31-41 27-2

30 25-22 25 23-5 31-2

2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-1 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs.
2-1 prs.

25-25
24

21-6 25-79 27-6 30 21-7

31-4:

20-5 30 30 24-6 30 30 30

2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 3-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 3-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 3-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs. 2-3 prs.

First Class

1897-S 1897-8 1899 1899Toulon, etc.j 1902 Bordeaux,etc. 1901 Hordeaux.etc. 1902 Bordeaux, etc. 1900 Bordeaux 1902 Creusot 1902 Bordeaux . 1902 liordeaux.etc. 1902 Bordeaux, etc. 1904

201-4 (3 boats) .. 206-211 (5 boaU).. 212-215 (4 boats)..

Normand

Bordeaux

Normand

121-4 121-4 121-4 121-6 121-4 121-4

1-24-8

13-4 13-6 13-6

13-6

1,700 1,500 1,800

1,500
1,500 1,500 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000

25-9 23-5
27
23'

2-1 prs. 2-1 'prs. 2-1 prs.

23 23
23

10 10 10

216-226(11 boats)..
227 -235 (8 boats) 236-255 (20 boaU) 266-267 (2 boats). 258-261 (4 boats).. 262(1 boat).. 264-265 (2 boats).. 266-276 f 11 boats) 277-294(18 boats) 295-317 (23 boats) 318-367 (50 boats) 368-369 (2 boats).
.

2-1 prs. 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-1
prs. prs. prs. prs. prs. prs. prs. prs.

124-S 124-8
l'24-8

124-8 124-8

13-2 13-2 13-2 13-2 13-2 13-2 13-2 14-0 14-0

23-6
23-5

260
26-0 26-0 26-0 26-0 26-0
26

Normand,
Havre, Toulon

etc.

etc.

1905) 1905-7}. 124-8

3,000

2-1 prs.

1906

Cmptared ft-om the Chinese at Taku, 1900.

256

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Prance

continued.

FOREIGN TORPEDO-BOATS.

257

Germany.

. . . .

. . . , .. . . . . . .

..

.)

258

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Italy.

Dimensions.

l"S
gft<

Name or Number.

Where

Built.

^^
Destbotkrs Fulmine ..
liEmpo
Freccia
.

..
.

Feet.
Seatri (Odero)
'

Feet.

Feet.

Tons
298

Knots.
4,800
28
1 12-pr.

1898

200

20-4

6-4

3 6-pr. Q.F.

. .
.

. .

Dardo
Strale

. .
. .

F;iblng

l(Schichau)

18991 1901/

6,000

30

(^^2-p'-Q-^-'
I

5 6-pr.

Euro
Ostro

Nembo
Turbine Aquilone Borea Meteoro

.
.

. .
. .

Naples

190n
1902J

I (Pattison)
.
. .

6,000

12-pr. Q.F. 6 6-pr.

Tuono
Zefflro

....
J^
.

Naples

>

Espero
Bersagliere

((Pattison)/

6,000
fl906 I190t

112

pr. Q.F. 6 6-pr.

ArtigUere Granatiere Lanciere .

.
.

Alpino

Genoa
(Ansaldo,
'>

6,000
}1909 1910

4 12-pdr.

Corazziere Pontlere Carabinierl

.

Armstrong)

Fncilierl

Garabaldiuo

PaUison
(Naples")
6

'

Impavido Impetuoso
Indomito
Insidioso
Iiitrepido
. .

Ansa'do (Genoa)
3 Orlando

Bldg.

7-6

4-7 in. 4 12-pr.

Irriquieto. 6 others .

(Leghorn)
3

Ardito

Ardeute

.
. .

Orlando
(Legliorn)

Audace Animoso

Bldg.

(14-7
)

in.

4 12 pr.

FiBST Class
Aquila, Sparviero Nibbio. Avvoltolo Nibbio,
Pelllcano
.
.

.
.

.)'
.

,,,,,,

*''*''8

2,200
]67'4 164-3
1905-6 1906 6 1905-6
.

.
I

Condore

. .

Sestri (Odero)' Sestri(Ansaldo)

19 16-8

14-8 6-9

147 136

2,700 2,600

2 3-pr.Q.F.. 1 l-pr. Q.F., 1 l-pr. rev. 2 3-pr.

2 3-pr.

Slrio, Saglttario

Spica, Scorplone Serpente, Saffo

Elbing

Alcione, Ardea Albatros, Aiorone

Odero
/
\

A store, Arpla
Gabbiano
Pegaso
Perseo Procione Pallade
. .

/1905 11906
^
]
>
.

f2,900;

l3,250j

2 3-pr.

Orione, Orsa . Olympia, Orfeo

.

Genoa
(Ansaldo)
.
.

/1905 11906
1907

Spezia
(

Naples
(Pattison)

. .

. . . .
.

. .
.

1905 1905

Cigno
Casslopea
Calliope Clio

(
. . .

Naples
(Pattison)

> j

Centauro

. . . . .
.

Canopo
Calipso

.
.

Naples

Climene 1 P.N.-12 P.N.

13 0.S.-24 O.S. 26 A.S.-32 A.S.

(Pattison) Pattison
.

1906^ 1907 1906 1907 1907 1909 1909

Fldg.

3,000

f26-4| 126-6/

3 3 pr.

Odero

Ansaldo

Second Class

1895
1

No. 117 .. .. Ncs. 136-8, 140-2

NOS. 147, 149-162

131-2 131-2

16-4

86 86
85

1,000
1,000

pr. Q.F.

(6 boats)),

i"*'y

I.

1893-94

16-4

2 )-pr. Q.F.

(5 boat/.)):

,. , Y ""'y

1,000

2 l-pr. Q.F.


FOREIGN TORPEDO-BOATS.
Italy
continued.

259

. . .. .
,

. . . . . .

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

260

Japan

continued.

Dimensions.

Name

or

Number.

Where

Built.

n g

as, SCO

>

n S

w
Destroyers
Matsukase
Sbirot&ye
.

Tons.

Knots.

Tons.

Nagasaki

1906' 1906
1907 1906 Bldg. Bldg. 1907 1907 1909 1909 1909, 1909 1910

Asatsuyu
Ilayal^ase

KikntsukI Minatsuki Nagatsuki Utsuki Isonami

Uranami Ajanami
Kaifu

Umikaze Yamakase

Osaka Osaka Uraga Uraga Uraga Uraga Yokosuka Yokosnka Yokosuka Maizuru Nagasaki
.
. .

220-3

20-6

374

6,000

6 12-prB.

1200 20,600
700
18,000

19U
Kure Kure
.

/2 4 7-ln.,\ I 5 3-in. /
ln.1 in /2 3 9

Saknra Tashibana
First ClassHayabusa.

Bldg. Bldg.

Ui2.

Manadzuru
Chidori Sbirataka.

Normand Normand Normand Normand

Elbing

Aoataka Hato
.

. .

Hibari Karl ..
Kiji
..

.. ..
.

Tsubame

Hashitaka

Kamone
Otori . , Sagl ..

. .

.,

Uznri Fukuxlu

Kure ., Kure Kure Kure Kure .. Kure .. Kawasaki Kure .. Kawasaki Kure Kure
. . . . .

Kiel

..

1898) 18991 1899[ 1900) 1899 1903 1903 1903 1903 1903 1903 1902 1904 1904 1902 1902 1896

147-7

16-0

4,200

f 1

6-pr.. \
/

2 3-prs.

4,200

27

/ 1 6-pr., \ \ 2 3-prs. /

Second Class
2 boats
1 .
.

boats . 16 boats . . 1 boat (No. 24) 2 boats . . .

.

Kobe .. Yarrow
Elbing

Normand Normand
[U.S.A.

1901 1900 1891-9 1891 1898

162-6
118

16-3
13-1 13-6

7-9

1,900
1,200 1,800

27

2 3-pr8

121-4

6-9 8-6

2 1-prs.
1 3-pr.

Submarines
e boat3 2 boats 2 boats 5 boats

Fore

River,
.

Japan

Vickers

Kawasaki

1904-5 1906 1908 1911

65
135

12

13-5

120 60-80 325

FOREIGN TORPEDO-BOATS.

261

Netherlands.

Name

or

Number.

Pkstroyeks^
Wolf, Fret (1909) ..) Bnlhond, JaKluls \
(19in)\

FiBOT Class Ardjoeno Batok Cycloop

. .

Dempo EmpoDg
Foka
Goentoer

Habang
Idjen

Krakatau
Scylla

Hydra
Ophir

Pangrango
Rludjani

Smeroe

Tangka Wajang
Minotaurus, Pj'tbon Zeeslaog Krokodll
Draafc Sflnx Scylla

Meijndert Jentjes

Johan vau

lirakel
.

Van

de

I'.ijn

Willem WiUemsze.. Roemer Vlacq

Pieter Constant Jacob Cleydljk Jansscn <lc llaan

. ,

262

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Norway.

Name

or

Number.

Where

Built.

si 80w

Desthoters

Elbing
Christiania. Christiania..

Feet.

Feet.

Feet.

Valkyrien

190 1908 Bldg.

24-3

9-3

Tons. 374

3,300

Knots. 23-2

2 12-pdr8.\
4 l-pdrs. /
6 I2-pdr8.

Tons. 90

Draug
Troll

7,500

First Class Varg(8), IUket(9) Hval,I)elfln, Hai (3)

boats) Storm, Brand,
/

Christiania,

1894 1896 1899 1900

1898 1903

111-6
128-0 128-0 128-0

12-4 15-0 15-0 15-0

Elbing
Christiana
.

1,100
6-9 6-3
1,100 11,000

24-5 23

21'4-in.Q.F.

Trods Christiauia

21-4-in.Q.F.
2 1-4-in.

Laks, Slid, Sael, Skrei Kjeck, Hvas, Dristig) Kvlk.Djerv, Blink, V Glint, Hauk, Falkl Skarv, Teist, Loni
Jo, Grib
. .
. . .

Christiana Christiana
Christiana

2 1-4-in. 100 73

1906-7

134-5
119

14-9

1,700

25-0 22-5

2 3-pr.

Ravn, Orn

1903

14-9

1,035

2 1-4-in.

Submarine Kobben
Nos.

Germnnia
Kiel
4

2, 3,

Germania
Kiel

Bldg.

/205 1255

440 250

Trovision

made

for a destroyer, and a torpedo-boat. Skarv class, submarine of the Kobben class is to be built.

is

in band.

Portugal.

FOREIGN TORPEDO-BOATS.

2(J3

264

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Spain.

Name

or

Number.

Where
Built.

Destrotees
Terror

Tons.

Clydebank
Clydebank
.
. . . . .

Audaz
Osado
Proserpina

( 2 12-pr. 2 l6-pr.21-pr., 2 14-pr. 2 f (6-pr.21-pr.,

67

'

100

Rustamente
Villamil

Requeecens
First Class
24 boats

Cartagena Cartagena Cartagena

Cartagena
Poplar. Poplar .
.

5 6-pr.

3 3-pr.
4 3-pr.

Azof Halcon

4 3-pr.

Azor and Halcon

rc-bollered

by Yarrow (water-tube).

Turbines and

Normand

type boilers.

Sweden.
TOKPEDO-BOATS.

) )

FOREIGN TORPEDO-BOATS.
Turkey.
Dimensions.

265

Name

or

Number.

AVTiere Rullt.

CO

as
Destroyees
Tajjar

.
. .

Feet.
.

Feet.

Feet.

Tons.
270 270

Knots.

BerkEfehan

Kiel Kiel
\

1894 1894

187 187

21-6 21.6

1,200

25 25

6 1-pr. revs. 6 1-pr. revs,

C
I

Samsoun

&

::

::
.
.

::
.
.
. .

bordeaux

..

1907-8

19-pr.
6 3-pr.

Yar-Hissar

Jadighiar-i-Millet

;Muavenet-i-llillet,.

Mahabct-i-Watan Nuhum-i-Hamijet

..[
.

f \

Klhing

(Schichau)/

12-3

610

14,000

3-4

in.

M.

.)

FiKST

Class
Scstri
Sestri

Ac-Hisar
Urffa, Antalia, To-j kat, Deradj, Kula->
bia, Mossnl A. b Edjder(No. 10)
.
.

Ponente

165-8
1906 1901 1890 1889-90 1892

18-6
18-6

4-5

..

165 165

2,200

Ponente

165-8
166 152-7 126*7
127

4-5

2,200 2,400 2,200 1,300

2-1 pr. 5 3-pr8. Q.F. 2 1-pr. revs.

Sestri
..
.

Ponente
..
.

6 boats,

2 boats

Kiel Kiel Kiel

..
. .
j

. .

18-6 18-9 15-4

4-0 7-4 8-6

2 2
1

145 150

85

266

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

United St9itescontmued.

PLANS
OF

BEITISH AND FOREIGN SHIPS

lO

^1

!o 30 to sc

i,_li

'0

Scale for Plates. 100 feet to the inch ipc so so mo ^1 liIjlllll t=! t=

Platk
h
'1

1.

GREAT

BRITAIN.

BATTLESHIPS.

Neptune.

Colossus.

,11"

3 TO 4"

^
11"-

iL

r^

IB

_fr

^^

i}|[jl!f|{l|i|j||[!|

^=51^

i''Miifiilliiiiilliiiiii!iu;ii,aiii;!iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiili

l;

Length, 510

ft.

10,9oa-20,000 tons

Speed, 21-y-21-7S knots

10

Completed, 1911

Armament,

12

in.,

16

in.

Sec page 183.

Plate

2.

GREAT BRITAIN.

BATTLESHIPS.

Dreadnought.

Bellerophon.
St. Vincent.

Temeraire.

Superb.

Collingwood.

Vanguard.

Dreadnought. fAiiutli, 490

"
t-I^-i^'H-t''.

ft.

17,900 tons

Speed, 21-8 kuots

in.,

Aiinameut, 1012

24

12 pr.
in.

Completed, 190G

TemeTa'ire

^^0

ft.

18,000 tons

Speed, 21-6-22 knots

in.,

Completed, 1909

Superb
St"vinreru'

Armament, 1012
^-^"^'t''.

164

^00

Vanguard

19.2;-.0 tons ft. Speed, 21o-i2-l knots Arniunient, 10-12 in., 20-4 in.
: :

Completed, IDIO

N. 13. Tile masts are dlllirintl.v .inan'-'i-d in

llie

later

sliii)S.

See pa(je ISO.

Plate

3.

GREAT
Lord Nelson.

BRITAIN.

BATTLESHIPS.

Agamemnon.

Leniitb, 410

ft.

16,500 tons

Speed, 1S-T5-18-9 knots

Coniplfted, lOOS

Armameut, 412

in.,

109-2

in.,

2412

pr., 5 small.

See page 1S3.

King Edward

VII.

Africa. Hibernia.

Britannia.

Commonwealth.

Hindustan.

New Zealand.

Length,

42.1 ft.

1(>,:J50

Arni.-.Mient. 4

12

tons

Speed,

IS-.'')- 19-.^i

knots; Completed, 1905-1906;

141-2 pr., 17 .snniU.
See page 1S2.

in.,

4-9-2

in.,

100

in.,

Platio

4.

GREAT

BRITAIN.

BATTLESHIPS.
Triumph.
Swiftsure.

i4Pr

14-P'-

Length,

43(> l.

11,800 tons
in.,

Speed, 19-6 knots

in.,

Completed, 1004
pr., S .small.

Armament, 410

147-5

1414

pr.,

212

See page 185.

Albemarle.

Cornwallis.

Lenj-'tli,

405

ft.

14,000

ton.-*

Spi-uil,
in.,

18C

l'.):{

knots

(..inp'.etod, 1903-1004
.s

Armament, 412

12-0

in.,

12-12

pr.,

small.

See pa(je

l.si.

Plate

5.

GREAT
<?

BRITAIN.

BATTLESHIPS.
Implacable.
Irresistible.

Formidable.

^Bulwark.

*Prmce of Wales.

*Queen.

^Venerable.

In

These Ships 9 Armour Tapers

fo

"af

30 ft From Bow. & They Move no Forward Bulkhead

Length. 400
ft.
;

15,000 tons

Speed, 1818-3 knots

in.,

Completed, 1901-11304

Armament, 412

126

in.,

1812

pr., 8 small.

See

j^ar/c ISl.

Canopus.

Albion.

Glory.

Vengeance.

Len-th, 300

ft.

12,950 tons
4

.Vnnament,

12

Speed, 18-2- 18-5 knots

in.,

12

in.,

12

12

Completed, 1000-1902

pr., 8 sriKill.
Set'

page

170.

Plate

6.

GREAT

BRITAIN.

BATTLESHIPS.

Majestic.

Caesar.

Mars.

Illustrious. Hannibal. Prince George.

Jupiter. Victorious.

Magnificent

r^

|-"

"^'

^U

15^ ;
,

t'-^

Sl

'
..

^
'

6Qf
Leiiv'tli, 3i;0 ft.
; ;

e'fr'
; ;

11,900 tons Speed, 17-5 knots t'onipletetl, 1S95-1S98 Ainiiinient, 412 in., 12 G in., 1812 pi., 10 small.

See

jHtijc 1S3.

Pl..\TK


I-

UJ

S
CO
,

5 s Q
oj

Oct

<
LU CC

D O 5 ^

Plate

8.

CO

=2

^
r-^

C-.

*i

CJ

< H
cc CO

H <
Lll

CC

j3

.t;

;:

Cod
>-a<p

0)

"D

c c c

I'l.ATK

!.

GREAT

BRITAIN.

ARMOURED CRUISERS.
Defence.

Minotaur.

Shannon.

Length, 490

ft.

Annanient, 49-2

14,600 tons; Speed. 22-5-23-5 knots Completed, 1907-190S in., 10 7*5 in., 1612 pr., 5 small.
;

See page ISO.

Cochrane.

Lengtli, 40

ft.

13,550 tons Speed, 22-3-23-3 knots Completed, 1900-1007 Avnianient, 60-2 in., 47-5 in., 112 pr., 31 small.
; ; ;

Seepage

17S.

Plate

10.

GREAT

BRITAIN.

ARMOURED CRUISERS.
Black Prince.

Duke of Edinburgh.

9
3P'' 3P'-

V
3P'~

3Pr

iL

^^^

^
;

length, 4S0

ft.

13,550 tons

Speed, 22-8-23-6 knots

Completea, 1900
See page 179.

Armament, 69-2

in.,

106

in.,

212

pr., 27 small.

Devonshire.

Antrim.

Argyll.

Carnarvon.

Hampshire.

Roxburgh.

J.eiiKlli,

4.'i0 It.

J0,8aU tons .Speed, 22-2-23-6 knots Completuil, Arniaineut, 4 7-5 in., 00 in., 112 pr., 24 small.
; ;
;

l!Hi:.-19(iO

Ser page IMi.

Plaik

11

GREAT

BRITAIN.

ARMOURED CRUISERS.
Berwick.
Kent.

Cornwall.
Lancaster.

Cumberland.

Donegal.

Essex.
Suffolk.

Monmouth.

Length,. 440

ft.

n,gno]tons-:;Spee(l, 22-7-24-7iknots

Completed, 1903-1905

Armament, 14 6

iu.,'10 12 pr.,'9 .small.

See page 179.

Drake.

Good Hope.

King Alfred.

Leviathan.

Length,

f,00 ft

14,100 tons

Annanunt, 2-0-2

Speed, 23-3-24-1 knots,

in.,

166

Compk-ted. 190"-1903See- jyai/e ISO.

in.,

1212

pr., 7 .sniall-

Platk

12.

GREAT

BRITAIN.

ARMOURED CRUISERS.

Cressy.

Aboukir.

Euryalus.

Hogue.

Sutlej.

lA-nglh, 440

ft.

12,000 tons

SSiu'eil,

Arniaiiifiit,

2 !)-2

in.,

12 C

iO-S 21-8 kimts Com])lt'te<I, in., 1412 pr., 15 .small.

;

1!)01-1004

See page 180.

Platk

13.

J;dVi><MxS2

IT

0^1

Plate

14.

2j,

a o
D
I

ta

.'"'

Platk

IT).

AUSTRIA.
BATTLESHIPS.
Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand.
Radetzky.
Zrinyi

Leiigtli,'4.-)1 ft.

14.226 tons

Speed,

20-.i

knots

Erzherzo^ "Franz Ferdinand and Radetzky, Completed, 1910

in.,

Zrinyi, (.'onipletcd, 1911

Armament, 412

S 9-4

in.,

20 i

in.,

612

pr., 2 .small.

See page 196.

Erzherzog Ferdinand Max.

Erzherzog Karl.

Erzherzog Fried rich.

_L

'-^?t-4

f7~k

r
AMi'itli,

r
;

390

ft.

10,433 tons

Speed, 20-20-6 knots

in.,

Completed, 1900-1907
pr., 16 small.

Armament, 4-9-4

12-7-5

in.,

1212

See pmje 190.

Pi..\T..:

IG.

AUSTRIA.

BATTLESHIPS.

Arpad.

Babenberg.

Habsburg.

X^.

'L^j=

..,|.

'

^ 1 ^=r
^ir^g^

f"^

IJEPJ-

TEm;--^tjfffi=:?T~ J-r-^'-4.,**35r
*
'

==^=^iiiii)iiiiiiiiiiiiii|iiii[iniiiiiiiii.iiiiiiteSIi^

2-3

2-8

2S {28
I

28

Lengtli, 354

ft.

S20S tons

Sj)eed, 19-6
in.,

knots

Completed, 1902-lti04
pr., 10 small.

Armament, 39-4

12 C

in.,

1012

See page 196

Budapest.

Monarch.

XI^J

1472^^

75

'

[-

U'hgtli, 3iJ5 f^

5402-5550 tons;

Sjieeil, 17-5
in.,

knots
in.,

('liiniiletcil, 1897-li>;i.-

Arniament,

4 f)-4

G -5-9

20 small.

Hcc

jKiiic 196.

Plvtk

17.

AUSTRIA.

ARMOURED CRUISERS.
St.

Georg.

^3^

F
7-f
T

OF

6
;

Length, 384

ft.

7185 tons
in.,

Speed, 22 kuots
in.,

Completed, 1906
pr., 16 .small.

Armament, 29-4

57-6

46

in.,

912

See pacje 196.

Kaiser Karl

V!.

Lengtii, 3G7

ft.

61.'il

tons

Speed, 20-7 linuts

in., 8

Completed,

19110

ArmameTit, 29-4

5-9 in., 22-small.

Sec par/e 196.

Plate

18.

BRAZIL.

BATTLESHIPS.

Minas Geraes.

Sao

Paulo,

1
Leiiuth, 500

ft.

10,2S1 ton.s
;

Speed, 21 knots

Minas Geraes, Completed, 1909 Sao Paulo, Completed, 1910. Armament, 1212 in., 22 4-7 in., 8 small. 12-in., 20 6-in., 10 .small. Rio de .Tanciro, liuildinir, will have

See page 198.

ri.ATK 10.

CHILI.

ARMOURED CRUISER.
Esmeralda.

6'or

6"0F

6'QF

e'QF

0- +
t -?f ? 3 QF 3 QF
'

3QF ?
Lenstli, 436
ft,
;

3 QF
;

,^

t
^

7020 tons

Speed,

22-S

knots

Completed, 1S97

Armament, 2-8

in.,

166

in.,

S 12

pr., 6 small.

See paye 200.

Plate

20.

DENMARK,

COAST DEFENCE SHIPS.

Herluf Trolle.

Olfert Fischer.

Peder Skram.

Leiigtli, 1^71-274 ft.

Armament,

3415-3.543 tons Speed, 16-16-5 knots Completed, lfOl-1910 2 9-4 in., 45-9 in., 18 small.
; ;

See paije 202.

Platk

21.

"^ CO

cy

o^

Plate

22.

73 fM

Platk

23.

FRANCE.
BATTLESHIPS.
Condorcet.

Danton.

Diderot.

Mirabeau.

Vergniaud.

Voltaire.

3
Length, 470
ft.
;
;

^
;

Armament,

17,710 tons Speed, 19 knots C'ompleteil, l!)ll 4 12 in., 12 9-4 in., 1612 pr., 10 small.

See page 203.

Democratie.

Justice.

Verlte.

Leiifitli,

439 ft

14,035 tons

Speed, 19-3 knots

in.,

Compkted, 1907- lOOS

28 small.

Armament, 412

107-6

in.,

See page 203.

Plate

24.

FRANCE.
BATTLESHIPS.
Patrie.

Republique.

Length, 439

ft.

14,635 tons

Speed,
in.,

191 knots
in.,

Aniiament, 412

18- 6-4

foniiiktol, 1900 28 small.

:

See pane 205.

Suffren.

Length, 412 ft. 12,.V27 tons S^cimI, IS knots (.'onipktecl, 11)03 Annanient, 412 In., 10- OA in., s 3-9 in., 22 sniull.
: :

See page 200.

PL.VTK 25.

FRANCE.

BATTLESHIPS.

Henri

IV.

Length, 354

ft.

8807 tons
2

Armament,

10-8

Speed, 17-2 knots

iu.,

Completed, 1903;
small.

75-5

in., 14

See page 204.

Charlemagne.

St. Louis.

Length, 385

ft.

11,108 tons

Speed, 18 knots

Completed, 180S-1900
in.,

Armament, 412

in.,

105-5

in.,

83-9

34 small.

See page 203.

Platk

26.

FRANCE.

BATTLESHIPS.

TTI
^'^:==

^^r.

~r -t-V-J-Vr-^m
I

}'

'

Lensth, o82

ft,

11,954 tons
in.,

Speed, 17-8 knots

in.,

Completed, 1S90
30 small.

Armament, 212

210-8

S 5-5

in.,

See

;>;/('

203.

Jaureguiberry.

loa'

Lent^lli, 3C4 ft.

ll,0;i7

U.ns
in.,

.Spied, \i knots
in.,

C.mpleled,
32 small.

ISOti

Arniameiit,

2-12

210-8

85-5

in.,

Si'e

I'fi'ti'

2ii4.

I'l.ATK

27.

FRANCE.

BATTLESHIPS.
Bouvines.

*Trehouart.

-<3v: 4 Qf

4'eif

u:^
The "Tre'houart" has but one funnel

Length, 294

ft.

G071-G691 tons

Armament,

12

Speed, 15-7 16 knots

in.,

Completed, 1S04-1S06

84

in., 11 snuill.

See paye 203.

Platk

28.

FRANCE.

ARMOURED CRUISERS.
Ernest Renan.

<R.

64-

64'

l.engtli, 515 ft.

13,4-27

tons
4

Armament,

Speed, 24-2 knots

Completed, 1909
.s^nall.

"'(i in.,

10 6'4

in.,

24

See 2>nge

2')4.

Jules Ferry.

Leon Gambetta.

Victor Hugo.

^^^ mr(\

li

U n n
IF?

J^r m

,[J

n'i

j^il 4fp-

gftii'i'iiiii^ilil'

iiaiiilMIiilyiii'liy^^^

=-^J^R^

Leiii^'tli,

4sO

fl.

12,351 tons

.Speed,

Armament, 470

in.,

22o-23 knots C'oiiii>leted. 1904-1900; 10-6-4 in., 24 sniiill.

;

See

iiaije 205.

Platk

21t.

FRANCE.
ARMOURED CRUISERS.
Conde.
Marseillaise.

\
A
JL.-h!Lu_
,,,..;iil:ii:iii:Mii
!

,llil

i ilill llillii
i

lil!

l !

!l^

6-5

g-5"

es"

Lengtli, 453

ft.

9856 tons

Speed, 21-21
in.,

kimts

l.'onipleted, 1903-19D4

Armament, 27-6

S 0-4

in.,

64

in.,

20 small.

See page 203.

Duplelx.

33

Length,

12(1 ft.

757S tons

Speed, 21-21-7 knots

in.,

Completed, 1903

Armament, S 64

43-9

in., 14

small.

See page 204.

Plate

30.

FRANCE.

ARMOURED CRUISERS.
Dupetit-Thouars.

Gueydon.

&!EiL^==^

4"QF

4-"Q.F

-B-#-a--^ ---O-Efe^
t/egr

Length, 453

ft.

0367 tons

Armament, 27

Speed, 21-22-5 kn.its in., 86-4 in., 4 -4

Completed, 1902-1905
22 small.

in.,

See page 204.

Jeanne d'Arc.

5 5'9 F

55'Q.F

Leii-lh, 477

ft.

Armament, 2 "-O

ll,ij!(2 lon.s

!S|ac.l, 21-7
in.,

H 5-5 in., 2G small.

knot

('..mpleti-d, 11)03

See imge 205.

Plate
d

31.

FRANCE.

ARMOURED CRUISER.

Pothuau.

^^^'"^

^o^'

6'iQ.r.

Len,!.;th,

370

ft.

5.374

tons

.Speed, 19-2 knots

in.,

Completed,

lS9(i

Annanient.

2 7-6

10 5'5

in.,

24 small.

See page 205.

Jurien

de

la

Gravifere.

64 QF

6-4'

QF

Length, 440

ft.

5595 tons

Speed, 22-9 knots

in.,

Completed, 1901

Armament, 8 6'4

12 small.

See parje 20^.

Plate

o2.

ft

-a

GERMANY.
BATTLESHIPS.

Nassau.

Rheinland.

Westfalen.

^ t5^^

^=^u^^
Leugtli.
4:,5 ft.
:

1S,2U0 tons

Speed, 20
in.,

kiiut.s

Anuameiit, 1-211

126

in.,

Completed, 16-3-4 in.

;

1900-1'JlO

See

pMe

210.

Deutschland.

Hannover.

Pommern.

Schlesien.

Schleswig-Holstein.

Length, 398

ft.

13,040 tons

Speed, 18-5- 19-2 knots

in.,

Completed, 1900-i;09

Armament, 411

146-7

iu.,

223-4

in.,~8 small.

See page 209.

Plate

3-i.

GERMANY.
BATTLESHIPS
Braunschweig.
Elsass.

Hessen.

Lotliringen.

Preussen.

^5H^
6 7

QF

6 7 OF

34Q.

OF
liii ?
;

67 QF
Conipluted, 1904-1C06 20 sniull.
Sec page 209.

6 7"0F
Len-tli, 398
ft,
;

6 7 OF

6 7 OF
;

12,997

Speed, Izi-IS-T kimts

in.,

Annanient, 4 il

14 6'

,'

in.,

12

34 in.,

Mecklenburg.

;Schwaben.

Wet.'n.

Wittelsbacli.

Zahringen.

J.cnulli. 3;i4 ft.

11.043 tons ; Soeed, 1819 knots Coiiiplclfd, 1902-1903 Anuuiiieiit, 4- 94 i i"., 18-0 ill.. 12-3-4 in., 20 small.
:

Sec pmii' 210

Tl, A llCiSo.

GERMANY.

BATTLESHIPS.
Kaiser Friedrich
III.

Kaiser Karl der Grosse.

Kaiser Wilhelm

II.

Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse.

6'QF
jth, 377 ft.
;

10,074 tons

.Speed, IS kiiot.s

t'oiupletea, 1S!8-19J1

Aimanient, 49-4 in., lS-6 in., 123-4 in., 20 small. Note. Superstructure is being cut down.

Hec uagc 210.

Plate

36.

^
v:

t-t

Pr-ATK 37.

?-2

Plate

38.

GERMANY.
ARMOURED CRUISERS.
Gneisenau.

Scharnhorst.

Length, 450
J

ft.

11,420 tons

Speed, 22-5 23-8 kiK.ts

in.,

Ci.ni])letc(l,

1908

Armament, 88-2

in.,

203-4

in.,

14 small.

See page

2(i9.

Yorck.

--^Qf-^
C"
6'
I

I,L-n;:tIi. 4IK! ft.

-,

O.-J.-.O

tons

Spiid, 21
10

knot...: Cniniiliti
in.,

.1,

l!Hir>

AiMianicnt, 4-

.s-2 in.,

in.,

10 .'t-4

14 small.

Sec page 211.

Plate

3'.i.

GERMANY.
ARMOURED CRUISERS.
Prinz

Adalbert.

Friedrich

Karl.

6'OF.

i^"Q->

-^Cdr
Length, 393
ft.
;

-}^

-o -e - Q-m:
--^-^^

T^
SS5S tons
:

Speed, 20-2 20-5 knots

in.,

Completed, 1903-1E04
18 small.

Armament, 48-2

10 G

in.,

123-4

in.,

See page 211.

Prinz Heinrich.

Leuutli. SiW

ft.

8759 tons
in.,

Annanient, 29-1

Speed, 20 knots Comiileted, 1902 10 -.'rO in., 10 3-4 in., 14 small.

;

See pafw 211.

Plate

40.

GREECE.

ARMOURED CRUISER.

Giorgios

AverofF.

Length, 430

ft.

oa.'.fi

tons

Spfc-d, ?4 knut^
in.,

Completed,
in.

l!ll.

Armament, 49-2

S 75

in.,

Hi 3

See page 21G.

rL.XTF.

II.

ITALY.

Length, 557

ft.

24,000 tons

Speed, 22 knots

Armament, 1312

in.,

204-7

in.,

14

12 pr.

BuiUlina
See page 217

Dante Alighieri.

Length, 505

ft.

1S.300 tons; Speed, 23 knots

in..

BuikUn?
See jage 217.

Armament, 1212

20-4-7

in.,

IG Sin.

Plate

42.

Napoli

Vitlorio Emanuele.

Len-th, 435

ft.

12,42o tons

Speed, 22 knots

Completed, 19071909
in.,

Armament, 212

in.,

128

in.,

123

12 small.

See page 218.

Benedetto Brin.

Regina Margherita.

<?/

6'<)r

6 or

6 'Qf

r''-T-*-r-+r
Leiitttli,

420

ft.

13,214 tons
in.,

Speed, 19-.5-20-2 knots

S in.,

Completed, 1904
12 small.

.Armament, 4-12

12 C

in.,

10-3

in.

.SVc

lyage 217.

Pl..\TK

l.S.

ITALY.
BATTLESHIPS.
;Ammiraglio

di St.

Bon.

Emanuele

Filiberto.

47'Q.r

e-Qr
I

60
I

f-

e-Q.F

6'Q.r
;

Length, 344

ft.

K645 tons
in.,

Speed, 18-3 knots

in.,

Armament, 410

S 6

S 4-7

in.,

Completed, 1901-1902 22-9 in., 22 small.

See page 217.

ARMOURED CRUISERS.
Pisa.

Leiistli, 430

ft. 9,832 tons Speed, 23 knots \rniament, 110 in., S 7-.5 in., lG-3
: ;

fuiiiplete

1,

1909

in.. 2

small.

See imge 217.

Plate

44.

ITALY.

ARMOURED CRUISERS.
S. Giorgio.
S.

Marco.

7"

r'Xr-Wl-io'
I

[g

[^

wmm
--Lix

I.eii'itli,

430

ft.

9832 tous

Speed, 22-5 kuots

in.,

BiiiUling

Aniiament, 410

88

in.,

163

in.

See page 218.

Francesco Ferruccio.

Giuseppe Garibaldi.

efr
Loiit'tll,

cor

6<.

244

ft.

72.14 ti.n.s
1

Speed, 20 knots;

(.'nuilileti.d, liM)(l-ll)04

Arni;niient.

in

In.,

28

in.,

14-0

in.,

10

.'i

in.,

8 small.

See

2>a(je

217

Pl.\tk

4").

<
a.


JAPAN.
BATTLESHIPS.
Kawachi.
Seltsu.

1
Lengtli, 4S0
ft.

m
tons
in.
;

-iO^SOO

Speed, 20-5 knots

;

Building
in.

Armament, 1212

106

in.

124-7

See pofje 222

Ak!.

.8

IT

7?-,v

r*I

12

6
lOy

o-o-o

4
Length, 1S2
ft.
;

19,b00 tons
in.,

Sj ced,
in.,

20-.'>

knots

Comideted
4

1011

Armament, 412

1210

86

in.,

812

iir.,

small.

See

jHtijf 221.

Platk

47

JAPAN.
BATTLESHIPS.
Satsuma.

S,

PI:

Leiistli,

482

ft.

19,350 tous
in.,

Ariiianient,

4 12

1210

Speed, 20-5 knots'; Conipleted,'1909:: in., 124-7 in. ,^412 pr., 4 small.

See'page 223.

Kashima.

Lenytli, 420-42.')

ft.

15,950-16,400 tons

Speed, 19-5 knots

Completed, 1906

Ainianient,

412

in.,

410

in.,

126

in.,

1212

pr., 11 small.

See page 222.

Plate

48.

JAPAN.
BATTLESHIPS.
Iwanii
(t'.c

Orel

rsn

P^P

Length, 308 ft. lo.r.Ui t<>ns Speed, 18 knots Completed, 1004 Annanient, 412 iu., G 8 in., 203 in., 26 .small.
: ;

See page 222.

60F
U-nyth,
4'JU fl.

'f^r
;

6Qf\ e'
tons
;

6Qf.

l.-.,200

Speed, 18 5 knots
in.,

Completed,
pr., 2
)

1!I02

Arfiianient, 4

12 in.,

410

100

in.,

2012
4(i

small.

See

aje 222.

NiiTK.

4 10

In.

^'nns

have

lieen siilistltnted for

in.

on njipir

dei-

Pl.\tk
e

10.

JAPAN.
BATTLESHIPS.

Sagami

Inle Peresviet.

Suo

late

Pobieda.

Of
3

OF

6QF
3'

OF

P-

'6'

OF

3'
Note.: In the

F
.

3'0

"pobieda" the Belt Esien::s the Full Length of the Ship

;

12,674 tons LeniiUi, JOl ft. .Armiiuient, 412 in.,

;

Speed, iS knots
in.,

Completed,

19;il

106

1612

pv., 27 small.

See page 223.

Hizen

late

Retvizan.

^Of\
lA'nutli, :J74
ft.
;

SQF 2 0F
;

12,700 tons
in.,

Speed, IS knots

Completed, 1902
small.

Aimament, 412

12-G

in.,

20-12

pr.,

See page 221.

Tlatk

50.

JXPAN.
BATTLESHIPS.
Asahi.
Shikisli'ma.

^6'
ar\6'

JWl

|'POi"t'^
'
,

cn
!'.l

6^:tyi^

rvmxrrr*wi

6"Qr
,2 piI

6'Qr
,2P'^

e"Qf

e'gr
\,i2Pr

g-gf
6'Qr

{'"Qr

-^^^^3{T~\^
The Asahi
Liii-th, 4M0
ft.
:

"

has but two funnels.

; ;

H,S50 -15,S0J tons Speed, 18 IS -3 knots Completed, 1S99-19C0 Aimanient, 4-12 in., 146 in., 2012 pr., 12 small.
;

Hce pane 221.

Tango

hile

Poltava.

5 9'OF.

9'OF

I-.-n-th,

o07

It.

10,im;o {,,\t~

>yrvA,
in.,

li;

knot-

miiplrti'd, 180S

.\iiiiaiMi-Mt, 4

I'J

12

j'.) in., 14

small.

See page 223.

Pl.\tk

T)!.

JAPAN.
ARMOURED CRUISERS.
'buki.

Kurama.

IT
,0"

-f-f

<y

^^

'

'

lengtli,

4.-111

ft.

14, (Hit

tons

Speed, 22 knots
in.,

Armament. 412

Ibuki, Completed, 1909 Kni-inia, ('ompletert, 1011 S8 in., 144-7 in., 9 .small.
:

See page

?.21.

Ikoma.

Tsukuba.

r
4

M^

m rS
.6'
, I

pn

i'5'".

ta

'^1

lillilllliil'

"'Trrjwriirnf

:i^-\
v6

4-7

47

I
,

t^/rH
Lemrlli, 440
ft.
:

t
:

l:!,7ri()

.ViniiinHiit.

tons-; i^peed, 21 kn<its Coniplotfd, 1907 12 in., 120 in., 12 4 7 in., s small.

See parje 221.

Plate

52.

JAPAN.

ARMOURED CRUISERS.
Kasuga.

e
6' OF

QF 6 OF

PF
6

\
6QF

J
^

y
6QF

OF

Q-

^-^1

T
The
in

t
;

T
8
in,

Nissfiin has 2-

guns
Completed, 1904
in., S
:

fore barbette.
.Speed, 20 knots
;

Length, 344

ft.

72997700 tons

Ai-niament,

110

in.,

2 S

in.,

146

in.,

103

small.

-Yakumo.

-ik^T^
l2Par
I

,..-., T"?;^ QF OF
6
;

V2P<fr

Length, 400431 ft. 9436--e850 tons Speed, 2022 knots Comiiktud. 1901 Armanient, 48 in., 146 in., 12-12 i.v., s sin.ill.
; ;

'12 -G in. ''uns.

See page 22

Plate

53.

JAPAN.

ARMOURED CRUISERS.
Aso
Bayan.

hite

OF
86

'30

r"

Length, 443

ft.

7726 tons

Speed, 22 knots
in.,

Completed, 1902
29 small.

Armament, 28

in.,

323

in.,

See page 221.

Asama.

Length, 40S

ft.

9700 t(ms

Speed, 22-123 knots

Armament, 48

in.,

14 C

in.,

12

12 pr..

Completed, 1S99
S small.

See page 221.

Plate

54.

JAPAN.

e'o-K-

-iir-^-^-^Y

3,QF 3~QF
Length, 23D
ft.
;

3QF
;
;

3365 tons Speed, 20 knots Completed, 190i-5 Ai-niament, G 6 in., 103 in., 4 small.
;

Sec page 224.

Soya

late

Waryag.

rP^^a-^^-ua.II II

w=^
imill

IH

I I I

III

Hilim

il

H ! i|i|||l|lillHI!III H

[||I

III

IIIIII

iniiii

lllll!i!llllllii|

H |i

IlMiroTiT

'

xe-QF

6or

Leiigtli,

420

ft.

0500 tons

Speed, 23 knots
in.,

Armament, 126

12

12

Comiilclcd,
sniall.

liXJO

jir.,

See

p TflfJ

22."

Platk

55.

NETHERLANDS.
COAST DEFENCE
SHIPS.

De Ruyter.

Hertog Hendrik.

Koningin

Regentes.

Marten Tromp.

6QF

Length, 317

ft.

50145211 tons

Speed, lC-5 knots

Completed, 19021906
small.

Armament, 29-4

in.,

46

in.,

103

in., 4

See pa'je 226.

NORWAY.
COAST DEFENCE SHIPS.

Norge.

^2

'

o'l^
_

^^

.,,,:.?.."

,.',..

.^j

/-2"

Length, 290

ft.

3847 tons

Speed, 16

-5

knots

Completed, 1901

Armament, 2 S-2

in.,

66

in.,

8-12

pr,, 6 small.

See page 228.

Plate

56.

1\ ATK

;)/

RUSSIA.
BATTLESHIPS.
Andrei
Pervozvannyi.

Imperator

Pavel.

Length, 430

ft.

17,200 tons

Speed, 18 knots
in.,

Armament, 412

148

in.,

Completed, 1910 204-7 in.

;

See page 230.

Evstafi.

loann Zlatoust.

Length, 372

ft.

12,733 tons

Speed 16 knots

Evstafi,
in.,

Armament, 4-12 m., 4-8

Completed, 1911
in.,

12-6

loann Zlatoust.
small.

Iii.i],li..

14-3

in., 18

See page

2.!0.

Plate

58.

RUSSIA.
3ATTLESHIPS.
Slava.

Jl^^l-_

y~/r.
3
I-t-n-tli,

/..

O/o
3
in.,

M
3

b}

3
;

3
;

3G7 ft. 13,510 tons Annanieiit, 412 in.,

:

Speed, 18 knots

Completed, 190G
26 small.

126

203

in.,

See page 231.

Cesarevitch.

SQr
I.eiiyth, 38'J ft.
;

3 Qf

3Qr
tuns
;

3- or

-^'l'

12,i12

.Speed, 19-6 kncjU

Completed, 1902
32 small.

Armanuiit, 4-12

in.,

120

in.,

203

in.,

See page

23ti.

Plate

59.

RUSSIA.

BATTLESHIPS.

Panteleimon, ex Kniaz Potemkine Tavritchesky.

"

4^

ry^

^ '^
Length, 372
ft.
;

60.F
:

0y
li

6Q.r
;

eOF^

'^

^
;

12,480

toii.s

Speed, 17 knots

Armament, 412

in.,

166

in.,

.3

Comiileted, 1902 in., 28 .small.

See page 231.

Rostislav.

6"0Fi

6'QF

Z
l&QI

-0
I

e-^e
r

J,T
Length, 341
ft.
;

ISQ F

laOF

IS OF 18
;

QF

IS

OF
;

SS80 tun.s
4

Speed, 16 knuts
in.,

Completed, 1800

Armament,

10

86

in.,

18 small.

See paije 231.

Plate

60.

RUSSIA.

BATTLESHIPS.
Tria Sviatitelia.

Length, 357

ft.

13,318 tons
in.,

Speed, 18 knots
in.,

Compkteil, 1896
50 small.

Avmament, 412

85-9

44-7

in.,

Seepage

231.

ARMOURED CRUISERS.
Rurik.

^^
U-n^jtli, 4i)0 ft.
;

'

'

1
1

1
'

^-^
;

l.-,170

tons
in.,

Speed, 21 knots

Armament, 4-10

88

in.,

'204-7

in.,

0>mpli-tcd, 1907 VZ small.

.Sfee

pane

r:!l

Pl,ATK

(il.

RUSSIA.
ARMOURED CRUISERS.
Gromoboi.

Length, 473

ft.

12,336 tons
in.,

Speed, 20 knots

Completed, 1900
20 small.

Armament, 48

166

in.,

203

iu.,

See page 230.

JZL ili

i_M
liJ

m_i

i^^

TV-

lll l!i
ill

!l!l!!lliil

glil

illi ii

\6'0f

6"QF

\6

0F

\6QF

\6QF

j'of

j'cj
;

for
Speed, 2U knots ;,C(>nii)leted, 1898
;

Length, 480

ft.

12,130 tons
in.,

Armament, 48

16-6

in.,

123

in.,"

20sni;ill.

See page 231.

Plate

62.

KUSSIA.

CRUISERS.

6
Length, 420

or
I'JUl
;

Speed, 23-S kuots Completed, ft. y'JU5 tons AMuaiueiit, 12 (1 iu., 12 3 in., 12 small.
; ; ;

ice 2Mye 232.

Bogatyr.

Oleg.

t>C/-t

6 'or

F.I

'^

O''
l.eii^ttli,

G
;

e
^
3'OF
in.,

H34- -^;

^
I

t^
Completed, 1902-1904
;

^f
I

JO/^

417-440

ft.

064.><j75 tons
Aiinuiiieiit,

Spted, 23-24 kliotb

12 C

123

in.,

10 small.
Scv imgc 232.

Platk
/

63.


SPAIN.
BATTLESHIPS.
Alphonso
XIII.

Espana.

Jaime

I.

T'l.
Length,
435-ft.
;

i;

v'l
;

15,4ioO

tons

Speed, 19-5 knots

in.,

Building
See page 234.

Armament, 8 12:in., 204

6 small.

ARMOURED CRUISER.
Emperador Carlos
V.

-f
rengtli, 380
ft.
;

T
in., 4

U089 tons

Speed, 20 knots

Arnianieut, 211

in.,

8-5-6

3-9

Completed, 1898
12 small.

in.,

See page 234.

Plate

64.

SWEDEN.

BATTLESHIP.

Oscar

II.

Lfiii'th, 814 ft.

4203 tmis

Speed, IS kuots
in.,

Arnianieiit,

2 8'2

86

in.,

Comjileted, 1907 14 small.

;

See page 230.

COAST DEFENCE SHIPS.

Aeran.

Manligheten.

Tapperheten.

72 QF
Length, 2B7

j'i'^y^JQF.
;

ft.

3612 tons .Speed, 16-5-17-2 knots Coniiilfteil. Aniiaaient, 2 8-2 in., 65-8 in., 14 small.
;

liHJl

l!)0,s

Set pagt 236.

Pi.vrK 65,

SWEDEN.
COAST DEFENCE
SHIP.

Dristigheten.

I^^iiiitli,

285

ft. .344.5 tons Speed, 16-5 knots Completed, 1901 /Viniament, 2 8 '2 in., 6 S'O in., 12 small.
; ;

See pa<ie 236.

ARMOURED CRUISER.

rylgia.

r.ength, 377

ft.

4100 tons

Speed, 22
in.,

knots

C(jnipleted, 1907

Armament, 86

17 small.

See paije 23G.

Platk

66.

Plate

67.

TURKEY

BATTLESHIP.

Messoudieh.

6'Q.F6"Q.F 6"Q.F 6'Q

elQF

I,

e:Q.F

6f"^QF.

BP'^Q.F.

BP'^O-F
6P'-Q'f

T M
Length, 331
ft.
;

3'QF
I
,

9120 tons

.Speed, 17-5

knots

Cunipleted, 1901
14 small.

Armament, 29-2

in.,

126

in.,

143

in.,

See page 238.

Abdul

Hamid.

Medjidieh.

V
Length. 331340
ft.
;

t
;

34323800 tons

Speed, 22

-2

knots

Completed, 1904

Armament, 26

in.,

8-4-7

in., 12

small.

See page 238.

Plate

68.

u I<
Ia

CO

Q
UJ I-

Platk

69.

CO

UNITED STATES.
BATTLESHIPS.
North
Dakota.
Florida.

Utah.

5"

5"

5"

5"

Delaware North Dakota

Florida

)
J

Length,

.510 ft.

20,000 tons
21,825 tons

Speed, 21-5 knots

in.,

Armament, 1012
Length, 510
ft.
; ;

U 5

Completed, 1910

in..

16 small.
;

Speed, 21 knots
in.,

Completed, 1911

Utah

Ainianient,

10 12

16 5

in.,

10 small.'

See page 239.

Michigan.

South Carolina.

Length,

4,'^0 ft.

16,000 tons

Speed, 18-5 knots

in.,

Completed, 1909

Armament, 812

223

in.,

16 small.

See page 240.

Plate

71.

UNITED STATES.
BATTLESHIPS.
Idaho.
Mississippi.

r--^--]^"

'

O'l^

Length,

37:'. ft.

13,000 tons
in.,

Speed, 17 knots
in.,

Completed, 1909
in.,

Armament, 412

88

87

in.,

123

20 small.
See jmije
2:!!).

Connecticut.

Kansas.

Minnesota.

New Hampshire.

Vermont.

6,

j^aHiyi2''

Length, 450

ft.

16,000 tons

Speed, 18-1- 18-8 knots

Completed, 1906-1008
in.,

Armament, 412

in.,

S8 in., 127

in.,

203

30 small.
llivnii.shiro

the stern. New Connecticut and Louisiana have 11 in. belt instead of 9 in., and have only 2-3-in. guns at one to\.ei. has two military masts in place of the toAvers. Minnesota has one mast and
See paije 239.

Platic 72.

UNITED STATES.
BATTLESHIPS.

Georgia.

Nebraska.

New

Jersey.

Rhode

Island.

Virginia.

T
Length,
43.-> ft.
;

1
; ; ;

Conii)lett'(l, 1905-1006 14,04S tons Speed, 19 10-4 knots Aniiauieiit, 412 in., S S in., 12 C in., 123 in., .30 small.

See pane 239.

j^

f^y

f^->

'\^
;

Length, 388

(t.

12,30012,440 tons

Speed, 17-8 181 knots

in.,

Coniplettd, 1902-1904
See

Armament, 412

16

(i

in.,

63

in.,

18 small.
jiaije 24ii.

Platk

73.

UNITED STATES.
BATTLESHIPS.
Alabama.
Illinois.

+
Leugth, 368
ft.
;

f
;

f;

11,56.511,653 tons

Armament,

Speed, 1717-45 knots Completed, 1903-1901.; 13 in., 14 6 in., 24 small

See page 239.

ARMOURED CRUISERS.
Montana.
North
Carolina.

Tennessee.

Washington.

nmwm

.i:

jiiiii!

iiimiiii
||

n;!:ii'iii

Q.F.

Q.F.

Q.F.

Q.F.

Q.F.

Q.F.

Q.F.

Length. 502

ft.

14,500 tons

Speed,
in.,

2222-8 knots
in.,

Completed, 190G-1908
22 small.

Armament, 410

166

223

in.,

See page 240.

Plate

74.

UNITED STATES.

ARMOURED CRUISERS.
South
Dakota.

California.

Colorado.

Maryland.

Pennsylvania.

West Virginia.

n
-TirpT

'

T!

m
'

nr

I'i?;^
iii^i:^;>r^

T d/ t a m'^"
'

'''

:,,ni ;iMiiii;iiii;iii
i

ii i:

'i ii

!iriiii ;i!

ii'im^^

Length, 502

ft.

13,680 tons

Speed,
in.,

.\niianient,

48

22 22-4 knots Completed, 140 in., 183 in., 30 small.

;

1905-1907

See pvije 239.

Charleston.

St. Louis.

I.ent'tli,

424

ft.

Coni|>liti'il, 1900 '.)70i) tons .Sjieed, 2222-3 knots Aiinanient, 146 in., 183 in., 30 small.
;

See page 239.

Pi. ATI-.

7").

PART

III.

AEMOUK AND OEDNANCE,

269

PAET

III.

AEMOUR AND ORDNANCE.

Ix making a survey of armour and ordnance matters for the past
year, there is apparent, at first glance,

what may be
is

descril^ed as a

period of marking time

but this

is

not to say that there has been no

it

advance, for such a state of tilings

impossible to contemplate.
General
P'-'og^'ess-

The progress made, however, has been mainly in the development and improvement of existing war material, and effectively the onward movement has not exhibited itself to any considerable
extent, either in the increased resistance or changed disposition of armoured protection, in the greater calibre or improved power of the

weapons, or in variations in the design and type of completed vessels.

There have been none of the revolutionary changes which at different

periods in the past have

surprised and disturbed

those

who

are

interested in the production or use of naval

are there

war

appliances.

now any clear indications of novel or sensational immediate future. In guns of about 13*5-in. calibre, all the Powers seem to have found the heaviest weapon for the principal
in the

Nor movements

armament

of big battleships

and

cruisers,

but the tendency

Similarly, a

is still to

increase rather than to reduce weight.

6-in. calibre is

now

generally regarded as

gun of about the most useful weapon for

ranges
be

the

battery which was

primarily installed for protection against

torpedo attack, but also

action.

may

at certain

used in

fleet

Improvements in armour ha.ve not given this means of protection any unexpected advantage in its contest with the gun. Recent practice points to a further spreading of armoured protection rather than to any material increase in its tldckness. The fact that
the advocates for a reduction of weight in this direction are again

making

their voices heard

is

a point to be noted.
is

But although

modification rather than innovation

of the advance
of the torpedo

the prevailing characteristic

in attack and defence, the increased range which equality with the gun is now claimed the larger sea-keeping powers and elfectiveness of the submarine, as well as the rapid strides towards efficiency made with the aeroplane, all betoken uncertainty in tlie time to come, and these causes of unrest

made both
for

270

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Research work.

must prepare naval men, manufacturers ami constructors alike for approaching developments and impendiuff changes of importance. At no time in tlie history of modern armaments has so much
research
it

work been undertaken than has been the

may

also be said that at

case recently, and no time has the development been of so

great importance and influence alike in the power, rapidity of firing,

and

reliability of

guns of
if all

all

calibres.

The firms engaged

in the

production of the material for naval war are continuously prosecuting

experiment, and information were available, the story they
could disclose would form a most instructive chapter in connection

with modern artillery for naval, coast defence, and

as it is with the

field

work.

And

other accessories

gun so it is with the projectile, the torpedo, and and adjuncts of naval warfare. Unfortunately the
ratio

bonds of secrecy increase apparently almost in direct

value of the information which could be disclosed.

with the
doinc:

The British

Government and the foreign Powers

for

which these firms are

important work compel them to conform to binding conditions to

secure secrecy, and in the interests of patriotism the public must rest
satisfied

with the assurance that the Admiralty

experience and

is

securing the best

that

ingenuity and

unrestricted

expenditure on
proof
of

experiment
specialities

can

give.

There

is,

however,

tangible

superiority in the circumstance that

many Powers
firms,

are adopting the

this extent also

and inventions of British

and

to

the industry and enterprise of the great companies which manufacture

war material must be

of economic advantage to the nation.

In his Statement Explanatory of the Navy Estimates for the

current year, the First Lord refers to the satisfactory rate at which
the manufacture of guns
is

proceeding, to the good progress

made

in

other directions in regard to ordnance material, and to the constant

Shooting
of the

Fleet.

and earnest attention which the development of the torpedo and the methods of controlling fire are receiving. The high standard of shooting in the Fleet has been maintained, and the reports of battle practice and gunlayers' trials which have been issued show that the advance of late years continues, and on very similar lines. There has been a further approximation of battle practice conditions to the probabilities of action, conjoined with quite remarkable progress
results.
scientific record, analysis, and examination of must be acknowledged, is the best method of arriving at weak points in the gunnery system, obtaining an explanation of them, and thus reaching the absolutely correct

in

the

matter of
This,
it

remedies.

It is essential to get a clear idea of the character of the

fault, if it is to

be put

right,

and

this is exactly

where the recent

productive of

methods

of

trial

and

record

are

bound

to

be

GUNNERY ADMINISTRATION.
advantageous
result.

271

much

progress has been

torpedoes since this

Nor should it pass without notice here that made in the direction of battle practice with exercise was introihiced a few years ago. It is
and use of
to

now developing
At
object

into a thorough test of the organisation

the torpedo in action.

the present

institution of

moment, when attention a reorganised and reconstituted

is

directed
Staff,

the A Tactical
'

War

and the

'

discussed,

and purpose of the changes recently made are so widely it seems to be a favourable opportunity for suggesting
is illogical

that

it

to

supply

Strategical Staff without its natural

complement
therefore

in the naval service, a Tactical Staff also.

Strategy
sea,

may
and

be studied at the

War College,
officer

but tactics must be taught at

entrusted with a

every

who

is

command

afloat

might be encouraged
in tactical

to report fully

on

all

methods and experiments

his eye or

movements which take place under

commend

the Admiralty or at the might receive these reports, and after collating, comparing, and criticising them, the results could be summarised, and submitted afresh to the Service at sea for further consideration
Staff" at

themselves to his notice.

College

A Tactical

War

and
so,

trial.

As

it is

the weapons that influence tactics, or should do

the Inspector of Target Practice, as the officer most closely in

its methods and management, should be brought into the counsels of the authorities at the Admiralty and War College to advise on these reports, and suggest further tests and experiments based upon them. The

touch with the competence of the Fleet in gunnery,

members of the Tactical Staff engaged in this work should include, and perhaps be mainly chosen from, officers who have specialised in gunnery, torpedo, and submarine work. Again, as tactics are influenced by the weapon so design should be influenced by tactics, and thus it follows that the studies and deductions of the Tactical Staff should be discussed by the head of the War College and the Inspector of Target Practice, with the Chief of the Staff, in order to

make sure that the foundation of all proposed changes in the of new ships should rest on sea experience, and be examined
light of the

design
in the

most recent developments in tactics, these in their turn depending upon the progress made by the Fleet in the use and application of the weapons supplied to it. The introduction of the Inspector of Target I'ractice as an official The adviser of the War Staff", whicli must occur in practice, even if it be JfT^rget not nominally tlie case, may remind readers of the Naval Annual of Practice, some remarks pertinent to this matter which appeared in last year's issue. It was then pointed out that, under the guidance of Sir Arthur Wilson, the tendency, already manifest in the time of Lord

; ;

272
Fisher, to divide

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

gunnery administration into two branches

making

the Director of Naval Ordnance the Board's adviser as to material,

and the Inspector of Target Practice the Board's adviser as to its utilisation had shown a distinct advance, and that the valufe of this step had been demonstrated in many ways. It appears to be a point well worth consideration and discussion whether this differentiation of functions might not now be definitely established. In tliis case, the Inspector of Target Practice would become the chief of the gunnery staff, while the Director of Naval Ordnance would be the officer responsible for the provision of armaments. Mr. Winston Churchill, when introducing the Navy Estimates on March 18, referred to an inquiry into the methods of training and testing the officers and men in what he called " this supreme and paramount service," the gunnery of the Fleet, which had just been completed and it is noteworthy that he has devoted much time since he came into office as First Lord to personal investigation at sea of the conditions in which the gunnery practices and trials are carried out. It is only natural, therefore, that he should realise to the fullest

extent

how

essential

it

is

there should be a special staff for the

constant study of the methods of gunnery, as obtained from the

experience of the Fleet, and the manner in which the results should

make

their influence felt in other branches of naval administration.

The nucleus of an organisation for such a staff already exists in the gunnery officers attached to the ships of the principal admirals afloat as flag-commanders, and those in the office of the Inspector of Target Practice. Little more is needed than to subject the existing institution to a similar treatment in the way of expansion and reorganisation to that which the Naval Intelligence Department has recently undergone. The training establishments at the ports and the officers now at the Admiralty who deal with questions of gunnery practice, the development of fire-control, and such problems as are connected with the use of guns, torpedoes and other weapons, would then pass under the control of the Inspector of Target Practice he would be called to the War Council, and the Board would look to him for advice on everything that pertained to gunnery methods and progress. There would then be a fourth or gunnery division to
the

War

Staff,

the assistant director of this division being charged

to torpedo

with similar duties in relation

Large
calibre

work.

guns

The past year has been notable for the increased favour with which the large calibre guns are viewed, and it may now be said that the 12-in. 50-cal. gun is no longer regarded by any Power as the most desirable weapon in ships of the line. In the British Service the 13 5-in. 45-cal. gun has completely supplanted it, and

LARGE CALIBRE GUNS.

in several foreign navies
tlie

273
is

14-in. 45-cal.

gun

now

favoured

it

remains to be seen whether either the

will be satisfied with thoe
is,

Britisli or

weapons

or adopt still

Powers larger ones. There

foreign

to begin with,

the

great

advantage of the

increased

size

of

augmented bursting charge, and the consequent enormous addition to the destfttctive force and the area of the danger zone within any ship after the shot has penetrated the armour. As is now well known, the projectile of the 12-in. gun is of 850 lb. weight, that for the 18-5-in. 1250 lb., for the 14-in. 1488 lb., and It may be accepted that the weight of tlie for the 15-in. 1950 lb.
projectile with its
Inirstiug charge contained within the armour-piercing shell of these

respective guns increases in greater proportion than the weight of

the missile

itself.

The destructive

force of the explosive contents

is

Bursting
charges.

the dominant aim rather than the extent of penetration.

the 12-in.

Already

gun

is

quite satisfactory from this latter point of view,

even at the greatest ranges within the possibilities of the vision of

Thus the penetration of hardened steel armour plate at 3000 yards, according to the Gavre formula, i^ 22*2-in. with the 12-in. 50-cal. gun, and is only increased to 25 ^-in. for the 15-in. 45-cal. gun, using the largest projectile already named. Tbere is, however, the undoubted advantage that higher penetration and greater destruction within the ship is achieved with a considerably reduced muzzle velocity in the larger calibre guns, and, consequently, the life of the gun is very much prolonged, as wear and As will be seen from the tear and erosion increase with velocity. Table of Ballistics of Vickers' guns, published on page 357, the muzzle velocity of the 12-in. 50-cal. gun is over 3000 f.s. for the 13*5-in. gun 2700 f.s., for the 14-in. gun 2525 f.s., and for the 15-in. gun 2500 f.s. These figures alone indicate that the larger weapon will have a much longer life, and that, for a given duty, the cost must be
the gunner.
;

considerably
13'5-in. gun.

less

than in the case of the 12-in. or even of the

The weight

of the projectile increases greatly the

muzzle energy
is

developed, even with the reduced initial velocities, and thus there
15-in. gun.

manifest a steady increment, particularly marked in the case of the

The energy given

f.t.,

for the 12-in.

for the 13-5-in. 63,190

for the 14-in.

weapon is 53,400 f.t., gun 65,790 f.t., and for the

f.t. It becomes interesting to note the developmuzzle energy per ton of weight of gun. In the case of the most powerful 12-in. gun it is 811 f.t., for the 13-5-in. 830 f.t., for the 14-iu. gun 820 f.t., and for the 15-in. gun 880 f.t. per ton weight of gun.

15-in.

gun 84,510

ment

in the

In considering the efficiency of these large calibre guns, however,

T

274
it is

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

necessary to take iuto account the rapidity and accuracy of
fire.

In this respect there need be no misgiving.

The progress indicated

by experimental work, not only in the reduction of the weight of the mechanism and mounting of guns, but also by the improvement of their rapidity and reliability of action, gives good promise of a satisfactory issue on these points. The aimed rounds per minute are only decreased from 2 in the case of the 12-in. 50-caL gun to 1 2 in the

case of the 15-in. 45-cal. gun.

Rate
of

To the achievement of this result many improvements in mechanism contribute. One of these may be mentioned as typical. The breech mechanism of the Vickers gun is now much appreciated, and it is not therefore surprising that in the large calibre guns the
firm contented

themselves with developing along the lines most

approved by recent practice.

On

the opposite page

for the 15-in.

is

reproduced a
cm.) gun.
this

drawing of the breech mechanism

(35 '5

Notwithstanding the extra large breech opening required for

gun, as compared with one of 12-in. bore, the breech mechanism for
the former has been so carefully designed as to exceed in weight only

very slightly that of the 12-in. gun.

parts are standardised and
size of the

In so far as

it

is

possible the

made

interchangeable irrespective of the

Indeed,

gun.

This applies notably to the firing gears.

all

Messrs. Vickers have aimed at this unity for

types from the 4-iu.

is

upwards.
vided,
so

In the larger calibre guns, however, dual control

that

pro-

mechanism can be operated either by power The mechanism is so perfect in its details that it can be opened by hydraulic power in four seconds and by hand in seven seconds. The time for closing is practically
the

(hydraulic or electric) or by hand gear.

the same.
Foreign ad\ance.

The further information now available about the new guns

in calibre
is

of

foreign manufacturers shows that the British example of an increase

being followed by the majority of them.

a 16-in.

The United
carry a

States has four battleships actually

building which will

gun may possibly be mounted in the next 14-in. gun, and In Germany, a 12-in. 50-calibre gun battleships to be laid down. has succeeded the 12-in. 45-calibre gun for the ships of the Kaiser type, and still larger guns of 13'56-in. and 14'96-in. calibre appear in the Krupp list, and may be mounted in the Ersatz-Weissenburg and other ships of the 1911 progi^amme. No doubt if these larger guns had been ready they would have been adopted for the Kaiser France has advanced from the 12-in. gun of the Jean Bart class. class to the 13'4-in. gun of the Bretagne class, while Japan is arming her new battle-cruisers of the Kongo type with a 13*5-in. gun, and has been reported to favour a 15-in. gun for the battleship

275

'f^t^m:

-J

276
Fuso,

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

now
building
of
at

Kure.

It

is

possible,

however,

that

difficulties

manufacture

may

operate against this intention, but

in such a country,

case the guns might, of course, be obtained in another

facturers,
firm.

be seen from the tables of the ordnance manuguns have already been adopted by the Vickers Italy found a similar difficulty when desiring to equip the
for, as will

15-in.

Andrea Doria and Duilio with ten lo'H-in. guns, and has kept to 12-in. gun instead, because, according to report, neither the Vickers-Terni works nor the Armstrong factories were at the moment in a position to supply guns larger than 12-in. calibre, and the Italian authorities did not wish to go outside the country Guns of 14-in. calil)re are being supplied to the to obtain them. Chilian battleship Valparaiso and of 13'5-in. calibre to the Turkish battleship Eeshad V., under construction at Els wick and Barrow, but the Brazilian battleship Eio de Janeiro, which was originally to have had guns of 14-iD. calibre, will now mount 12-in. guns to the number of fourteen, owing to the desire of the Brazilians to
the

reduce the displacement from 32,000 tons.

DispositioD of

There continues to be great diversity of practice in regard to the

mert.

heavy guns in the latest battleships, but the and American methods of turrets all on the centre-line is coming more into favour, partly, no doubt, because of the advent of There does not appear in the distribution of guns the triple turret. desire for a maximum efficiency of fire in all directions which that
disposition of the

British

for

some time seemed ahead and right astern

obtain the

to

be aimed

at.

On

the contrary, the right

fire

has relatively decreased as the desire to

where the ship The system of Although the super-posed turrets has given satisfactory results. plan of raising the second forward or second after turret high enough
of intensity on the broadside,
offers the largest target,

maximum

has become more marked.

to permit of the

before or abaft

gun muzzles passing over the top of the turret them allows theoretically of a right ahead or right

astern

fire,

it

has been found inexpedient to use this advantage

But the higher command given by the raised turrets, and the enlarged arc of fire gained on either bow and quarter for an increased number of guns, is a good enough reason for
under ordinary conditions.
the system being favoured.
Triple turrets have

now been adopted

by the United States, which is the fourth Power to experiment with this method of increasing gun power at a relatively small increase of
weight, but neither Italy, Austria, nor Bussia have yet completed a
vessel

mounting

triple turrets.

It is true to say that the introducto

tion of the

triple

turret

seems likely

add

to

the diversity of

practice in regard to the

number and

disposition of the heavy guns

GUN
of battlesliips, Ijecause
it

DISPOSITIOX.

277

opens up large possibilities to the desiguer,

especially in the case of a ship with both three-gun

turrets.

and two-guu

Compare,

for instance, the

Eussiau or Austrian battleships

with twelve
Itio

12-in.

guns,

all

triple

mounted, with the Brazilian

all

do Janeiro, mounting fourteen 12-in. guns,

twin-mounted, or

the Italian battleships with thirteen 12-in. guns,

either system.

mounted partly on
Triple

In America there has been no change in the principle of turret

and

which has been followed consistently whether eight, ten, or twelve heavy guns were mounted, being adhered to. But an important innovation has been made in regard to the disposal of the guns in the turrets by the decision to adopt the triple turret, though not to the same extent as in some of the European navies. Whereas the Texas and New York, of the 1910 programme, have their ten 14-in. guns in five twin turrets, the Nevada and Oklahoma, of the 1911 programme, have six of their ten 14-in. guns in two triple turrets, and the remaining four in two twin turrets. A compromise has therefore been made between the old and the new systems, and it is reasonable to trace it, at least in
distribution, the

centre-line method,

turrets,

part, to a desire to save

weight for the additional armoured protection,

It appears that

which
if

is

another special feature of the 1911 vessels.

mounted three guns in each of the four turrets instead of in two only, they would not have been able to increase the armour and still to keep within the limit of displacement fixed by Congress. In the disposition of their turrets, the new American ships resemble the Italian Conte di Cavour, except that the latter has an additional triple turret amidships. One triple turret is placed forward and the other aft, the two twin turrets coming between them, and being raised so that their guns may fire
the United States designers had

over them.

The Germans have

also

made an important change from

the

practice followed in their early

Dreadnoughts of mounting only two of six turrets on the centre-line. In the Kaiser class, there are only five turrets instead of six, and three are on the keel line, the other two being placed en echelon, that on the port side being aftermost.
is

The new plan

therefore identical with that of the British Neptune.

It has a distinct

advantage over that which preceded

less, it

it,

in that, while

there are two heavy guns

enables two more guns to be fired

on either broadside.

It

may

be that

when

particulars of the design

and her sisters are forthcoming they will show that the Germans have followed the further British step of mounting all the turrets on the centre-line. The Kaiser design
shows a tendency in
this direction.

of the Ersatz Weissenburg

278

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Centre-liue twin turrets only
is

the

method now adopted by

France for her three battleships of the 1912 programme

Lorraine, and Provence
class.

which

the Bretagne,

tlierefore

resemble the British Orion

This change was a very natural one

in. to

when

the calibre of the

guns was increased from 12

from twelve
Triple
turrets.

13-4

in.

and the number reduced

Italy, for this
it

to ten.

There
Bower, the

is

again a no\cl departure to be noted

ill

first to

adopt the triple turret, has

now developed

to a

any other Bower. The Andrea Doria and Duilio will, it is stated, be armed with iifteen 12-in. guns, in five triple turrets, as compared with the thirteen 12-in. guns, in three triple and two twin turrets, of the Coute di Cavour, and the twelve 12-in. guns, in four triple turrets, of the Dante Alighieri. In each case, the turrets are on the centre-line. The method in the Dante Alighieri is similar to that in the four Austrian Dreadnoughts of the Yiribus Unitis class, and the four Eussian Dreadnoughts of the Gangut class. It is not known that in the three Eussian Dreadnoughts begun last year for the Black Sea any departure has been made from this disposition, all the reports that have yet appeared giving twelve 12-in. guns in four triple turrets on the centre-line. Japan is following, for her squadron of battle-cruiers of the Kongo type, the example set in the British Lion class, the vessels having eight 13"5-in. guns in twin turrets on the centre-line. In regard to the battleship Fuso, however, neither the number of guns to be carried nor the manner in which they will be disposed has been
greater extent than
disclosed.

battleships building at Elswick for Chile and Brazil an interesting contrast in armament, the A^alparaiso, for the former Power, having ten 14-in. guns in twin turrets the Eio de Janeiro, for Brazil, having fourteen 12-in. guns, also twin mounted.
afford
;

The two

For the former, there could hardly be any doubt that to adopt the plan favoured in most other countries and place all the turrets on the keel line was the best, but the latter must have presented many problems to the designer. Not more than six twin gun turrets had formerly been placed on the centre-line of any battleship, and then only in the case of two vessels for the United States. The alternative plans were to mount five turrets on the middle line and the sixth and seventh either abeam, as in the early British Dreadnoughts, or
en echelon, as in the Neptune
Practice in regard to
their protection,
ships, for
is still

class.

armaments below the primary

battery,

and

iu process of change.

In the British battle-

example, when the Dreadnought principle was introduced,

the intermediate battery of 9 2-in. guns fitted in the

King Edwards

TRIPLE TURRETS.

279

and the Lord Nelsons was omitted, and in place, of two or more Interdescriptions of guns in the torpedo defence battery only one was ^^^ used. At tlie same time the armoured protection to all but the secondary batteries, In some foreign ,ships of the Dreadheaviest guns was abandoned. nought era, notably the German, the thin side armour for the protection of the intermediate battery was retained over the lighter guns, but both armour and guns showed a decrease in weight. Wliile the Deutschlands carried fourteen G 7-in. guns behind armour of the

same thickness as their calibre, the Nassaus have twelve 5*9-in. guns, and exhibit a corresponding decrease in the thickness of armour. The British practice introduced in 1906 has been followed in all the Dreadnought type of battleship hitherto, and although the torpedo defence guns have shown an increase in calibre they have not been protected by armour. In the King George class, it was
reported that with the increase of the calibre of the torpedo defence

guns to 6

in. there

would

also be a return to
likely,

armoured protection

for

these guns.

It

seems more

however, that this change will

occur in the Iron

so-called secondary

Duke

class.

Obviously the question of the

point, but while

armament remains a debateable

most navies are adopting a 5-in. or 6-in. gun not all of them are mounting a third gun for dealing with torpedo attack. Moreover, there has not been in any country a return to the batteries of 9 2 in., 8 in., 7 "5 in., or 6*7 in., which supplemented the smaller number of

guns in the primary batteries of pre-Dreadnought ships. The practice in regard to the anti-torpedo battery in foreign The navies differs in detail, but is fairly similar in character. Germans, in the Kaiser class of battleships, retain the 5 9-iu. and 3*4-in. guns, which they have in the Nassau class, but in place of twelve of the former have now mounted fourteen, and for sixteen This plan of mounting two of the latter are mounting only twelve. descriptions of guns in the anti-torpedo battery appears to be Twofollowed only by Austria-Hungary and Brazil. The former Tower, antitorpedo in the Yiribus Unitis class, has twelve 5"9-in. guns and eigliteen
12-in.
'
.

"^

batteries.

12-pounders, while in the latest Brazilian ship, the Eio de Janeiro,

there are twenty 6-in.

and ten

3-in. guns.

In both cases the heavier

in the Nevada and guns behind armour, and

gun

is

to be

behind armour.

The Americans,
5-in.

Oklalioma, are to

mount twenty-one
The

mount twenty-two have advanced from the 4 7-in. mounted in their first four Dreadnoughts to 6-iu. guns in the two ships of the Andrea Doria type. The Eussians, in the four ships of the Sevastopol class, will mount sixteen 4*7 in., and Chile, in the
the French are also in

the Bretagne class to

Italians

5 5-in. guns in this battery.

Valparaiso,

is

also content with this calibre of gun, but will

mount

280
twenty-two.

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

The thickness of armour to these guns is more or less dependable upon the displacement of the ship, but, apparently, in the opinion of most naval constructors it should not be less than
6-in.

battery in such a

The necessity for disposing the guns of the anti-torpedo manner as not to interfere with the arcs of training

of the heavier guns has conduced to diversity in practice, but there

appears a general tendency to bring the greater

into a central casemate, and although
it

number

of these

guns

has been suggested that the

likely to be adopted at

guns might be so
present.
Armour.

fitted as to

be placed below during a day action,

there are no indications that this

method

is

So far as heavy armour

is

concerned, while improvements and

modifications in methods of manufacture are widely reported, these

do not appear to have affected the character of recent plating to any

large extent.

The standard of resistance has been raised in plates was stated in last year's Naval Annual, and possibly in some of those made abroad, but in no case sufficiently to bring about any such a revolution as was caused by the introduction of the Harvey and Krupp processes. If this were not the case, it is hardly likely that so many Powers would be experimenting with thicker plates than those which have been used in the latest ships. Nor have any of the novelties, from which so much was expected a
of British construction, as

short time back, justified as yet the promise of the earlier announcements concerning them. It is rather from improvement in metallurgical processes, and by the introduction of new alloys and methods of face-hardening, than from any novel systems, that fresh developments in the competition between attack and defence are anticipated. Meantime, there is clearly an inclination to distribute armour more widely, and the decrease in area of side plating, which was a feature in the first Dreadnought, has become less marked. In the later battleships an extension of vertical side armour, both upwards and downwards from the water-line, is manifest. This may be owing in

part to the necessity for keeping out high explosive shell, but also

partly because, as

Sir

Eeginald Custance said in the lecture he

of the Naval Architects' by the Variag at Chemulpo and by Ulsan seem to show that armour protection

delivered

before

the

spring

meeting

Institution, " the losses sustained

the Prussian ships at

against fragments of bursting shell

It is

is

absolutely necessary."

now

universally recognised that the

gun has proved

its

superiority to the armour, and though, as has been said, the resisting

power of the
meeting
thickness
this

latter has

made some advance, no adequate measure

possible except
is

of

superiority seems
If this

of the plate.

by increasing the done, there must be a greater

SIDE PLATING.
sacrifice

281

of

essential to

some other element, and probably one tli;it is more "While tlic main belts arc getting fighting efficiency.
time, as they are carried higher for the protection

deeper, they are not longer in proportion to the length of the vessel,

and

at the

same

of the an ti- torpedo battery, this

form of providing for the safety of

be substituted for the turrets or

the crews of the lighter guns

may

barbettes in which these guns have sometimes been placed.

There

was apparent at one time a leaning towards an increase in thickness of the armoured deck, and to give it a curvature at the sides, extending much lower down than heretofore indeed, it was proposed to carry the edges of this deck down below the bottom of the armoured belt. ]\Iore recently, however, the desire for internal armour has weakened, and this method of protection, copied from French designs,
;

has not been followed to the same extent in later British ships. The proposal to armour the upper deck, caused by the apprehension

bombs to be dropped from aeroplanes, has not yet materialised in any of the leading navies, but in addition to the armoured bulkheads which afford protection against raking fire, splinter-proof traverses So far as are abeady adopted in some of the most recent designs. protection against under-water attack is concerned, the methods
of

adopted have for their purpose the localisation

explosion from mine or torpedo.

of the effect

of

A
down.

new development

in

armoured protection

is

indicated

by the

Becent
ATTifincfljii

accounts received of the design adopted for the

new

battleships

practice.

Oklahoma and Xevada,

influenced by

the keels of which have recently been laid

In this matter the Americans would appear to have been

the result of the

experiments made with the San

Marcos.
a

It is stated that the belt

armour

in these vessels will have

is

maximum

thickness of 13*5 inches.

This

heavier than anything

rate during the last
belts of their

that has been put

upon modern

ships, at

any

decade, and shows a great advance

upon the 11 -in.

This belt
is

immediate American predecessors.

width, and to extend over 400
ft.

to

be 17^
is

ft.

in
tlie

of the

575

ft.

which

to

be

length of the vessels at the water-line.

It will thus reach before the

ft.

forward barbette, and come about 30

abaft the after barbette.

ft.

The height
below
it,

of the belt

is to

be 9

ft.

above the water-line and 8^

in.

the thickness at this point falling to 8

Into either

end of the belt will be worked a 13-in. athwartships bulkhead, while the extreme ends of the vessel are to be protected by a curved steel
deck of
to be protected

gun turrets are and of the twin gun The latter thickness of armour will also turrets by 16-in. steel. be used for the conning-tower, signal station and communication
1

5-in. in thickness.

The

faces of the triple

by sloping

plates of 18-in. steel,

282

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

tubes, while the base of the single funnel will have a glacis of 13-in.

armour.

If the above description should prove to be correct,

it

is

obvious that to some extent these vessels show a return to the soft-

ended type which has been the subject of so much criticism. Eeference has already been made to the necessity for some provision in the matter of defence against the splinters caused by bursting shell. In the Kaiser class, the Germans, in addition to
placing their

armament

of 5*9-in.

guns behind

7-in.

armour, have

provided splinter-proof lateral screens as a protection to the crews

against flying debris.
descriptions of

For this purpose and for deck plating those armour winch are not perhaps primarily intended f(jr

the thickest plating

may

be used with advantage.

is

On

the opposite

"Era"
shield?,

page an "Era" cast-steel shield

are

shown, and Messrs. Hadfield

are supplying large quantities of the material of

which these shields

etc.,

made

for

ammunition

tubes,

conning-towers,

to

various

Governments.
the " Era " steel
foreign Power.

An

on the same page represents some of communication tubes which have been made for a
illustration

The

results of

some recent gunnery experiments,

official

so far as they

can be ascertained independently of

in

sources,

clusions to be derived therefrom, have been instructively

and the consummarised

effect,

an American professional journal.

:

They

are,

in

as

follows

It is indicated that existing armour is not sufficiently heavy to prevent a battleship from being sunk by gun fire. That masts, funnels, light upper works, and unprotected or partially protected guns cannot survive the first clash of battle. That as little v70od as possible, or none at all, should be used in ship fittings and

accessories.

That linoleums and heavy coatings of paint must be avoided, as certain to give and stubborn fires whenever compartments in which they are used are reached by explosive shell. That main armour belts must be much wider and carried well under water as well as above, and continued to the extremities of the ship. That an armoured upper deck is a necessity. That light belt, casemate, and bulkhead armour is only just a good igniter for shells on impact or at penetration. That armour should not be worked except where it is absolutely essential for
rise to local

protection.

That to prevent the dislodgment of armour as now carried and fastened, the plates should be of the largest dimensions compatible with their adaptability for handling and transportation. That a greater proportion of the total displacement must be assigned to armour if it is actually meant to provide against damage to buoyancy and stability, to assure the integrity of the armament and vital parts, and to effectively protect the complements of the ships.

With many
is

of these conclusions there will be general agreement,

but the last-named

the assignment of

still

larger weights to

armour
if

not likely to meet with endorsement from a large section of the

all countries.

naval students and observers in

On

the contrarv,

283

Pkotective

"

Era

'

SiKELi Shield (Hadfield's Patent) for

the Mountinct

OF

6-iN.

Quick-firing Guns.

This patented type of the Hadfield Shield for all calibre guns is being supplied in large numbers to several Governments for warship purposes and land defences.

'Era" Steel Communication Tubes for First-ccass Cruiser.

284
the question
is

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

not raised, Should there
l)e

a total abandonment of

armour ?

it is

certainly asked whether the time has not

come when

a large reduction might be out loss of battle efficiency

?

made with

general advantage and with-

It is manifest that the

apportionment
all

of weight to armour in recent ships has already increased out of

proportion to the effectiveness of the protection ensured.

At no

reasonably probable range for beginning an engagement does the

armour now used offer adequate or substantial protection against the The suggestion is made, therefore, to reduce the armour and to utilise the weight saved to increase the gun power, which is So far as may be judged from the most effective form of defence. the discussions which have taken place about this matter, the reasons
heaviest gun.

assigned for not following this course are these

gives a moral support to the men,
or,

Armour

protection

in other words, the

men who

had not

its

protection would not fight with the same heart as those

it.

who were given

Secondly, that peace

trials,

and, to some extent,

and not to be relied upon. It is possible that the powers of the gun have been unduly magnified in peace experiments, in which case it may be hoped that better results will be obtained from the armour in an
reports from the actual test of war, were
delusive,

actual battle.

And,

finally,

while

it is

now

necessary to

make high

explosive shell armour-piercing, and therefore with thicker walls and

is removed or its thickness and given bursting charges which will have destructive effects far exceeding even those famous Japanese ''portmanteaux" which caused so much damage at the

a smaller bursting charge,

if

the armour
thinner,

reduced, shells will be

made

Battle of Tsushima.

Gunmount
ings

Improvements in heavy and

being evolved.
those

light

gun mountings
is

are constantly
it is

Progress in this matter

in

very rapid, and

only

who
of

are

constant touch
appliances
It is a

with the designers and manu-

facturers

these

the

many

changes.

who can hope to keep abreast of common experience with naval officers

who have been

abroad, for, say, two or three years, to find themselves on their return in the position of students who have to spend some months of concentrated energy to become fully acquainted with the alterations which have taken place in the meantime. Messrs. Armstrong of Elswick have during the past year, amongst many other matters, taken out patents for improvements of

gun-mountings.
ordnance, which

Amongst
is

these

we

find a chain

rammer

for loading

vibration or noise.

capable of being worked at high speeds without This improved rammer also enables the loading

mechanism

of

the

gun
is

invention of this firm

Another to be very nmch simplified. connected with the elevating gear of gun-

GUN MOUNTINGS.
mountings.

285
to enable a pair of

The

object of this invention

is

guns

in a turret to be directed

and

fired

sometimes separately and someeither

times simultaneously, only one sight being used for the direction of

both guns in
for

tlie latter case. fire

The two guns can be connected

will.

independent
the
hitter

or simultaneous use at

When

connected

for

pur})ose,

arrangements are made that

elevated,

they move

perfectly together

when

and also that corrections can be

made, so as

to

allow for any difference or discrepancy in the firing of

one gun as compared with the other, the result being that when the
tjuns are fired there will be

no difference in
.

arranfjincr.

The outstandinij

features of a

new Beardmore

G-in. ffun-mountiiifi:
.

I^^ard-

more

6-1 n.

are the arrangement of the sights

and of the traversing

:

gear.

The mounting

aim of the designer has been,

a

as regards the sights

{a) to reduce to

minimum

the

movement

of the eye-pieces of the telescopes

;

when

elevating the

movement
(fi)

of

gun or setting the sights for range (h) to ensure the the two telescopes being always absolutely identical

to reduce the possibility of backlash in the gearing of the range

and

deflection dials.

And

as

regards the traversing gear

;

{a) to

avoid the evil effect of backlash

tion only

{h) to

provide a frictional connec-

between the traversing hand-wheel and the gun, crosshead and shield (r) to do away with the necessity for an oil l)atli {d) to iacilitate manufacture and fitting.
;
;

The telescopes are carried on a rocking bar, the hinge of which is close to the trunnions of the cradle, and on it the telescopes are so placed that their eye-pieces are also close to the trunnions, hence any movements of the cradle (and gun) about its trunnions, or of the rocking bar about its hinge, are scarcely appreciable to the men looking through the telescopes. The whole sighting arrangement, including sight cam, range and deflection dials and electric motors for operating the pointers, is carried on a metal bracket secured on top of the cradle above the trunnions this can be readily removed from or placed on the cradle the complete sight forms a separate unit, and does not necessitate the disturbance of any other part. The rocking bar hinged to front part of bracket consists of a semicircular U-shaped trough, in which slides a correspondingly curved steel bar, the front ends of which are connected together by a straight steel bar stretching across from one side of the cradle to the other. This bar carries at its extreme ends the telescopes, one on either side of the mounting thus the connection being rigid, the movement of the two telescopes must always i)e identical. Part of a worm-wheel is secured to the above-mentioned curved part of the rocking bar, and a worm on the shaft of the deflection dial provides necessary movement for deflection. For the movement in the vertical plane necessary for adjusting the sight for range, the rocking bar is driven about its hinge by a cam, whicli is in one with the range dial, situated towards the rear part of the bracket; the cam and dial are driven as one by a shaft through the medium of a worm and worm-wheel. Though in the case of both range and deflection gears the arrangements are such as to render the necessity of it improbable, simple means of taking up any backlash are provided in both. To compensate for deficiency in manufacture, accidental distortion, or when changing the sight from one cradle to another, means are provided in the telescope carriers for adjusting the parallelism of the telescopes in both planes. The elevation and deflection are given to the sight by suitably geared and placed hand-wheels worked by the sight-setter, for whom a seat is provided behind the gunlayer. The seats for the gunlayer and traverser have got height adjustment to compensate for the difference in the heights of men. Foot-rests are also provided
;
; ;

286

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

2S7

288
for all three,

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

with simple means for lifting, lowering, and securing same without using screws or clamps. The traversing gear is novel in that the worm-wheel usually attached to the fixed pedestal is replaced by what may be termed a nest of friction rings, and the worm usually gearing with it is replaced by a corresponding nest of friction discs. The traversing ring is secured to the pedestal and has a circular flange standing away from it about 4J inches. This flange has got V-shaped horizontal grooves running round its outer surface, and a smooth inside surface. To the carriage revolving in the pedestal is hinged vertically a bracket by means of a somewhat modified bayonet lock, and in this bracket is enclosed the whole of the rest of the gear. A vertical shaft, supported in the bracket by roller bearings, is provided at its lower end with a friction pinion (the discs) corresponding in section to that of the outside of the flange, and at the upper end with a worm-wheel to engage the traversing worm. The worm-wheel is kept small (the number of teeth in this case is nineteen only), which ensures an equal wear all round the wheel, since even a small arc of traver.sing entails complete revolution of the wheel. The traversing worm is secured to a horizontal shaft, which also carries suitable gear connecting it to the hand-wheel, and has besides got means for taking up any backlash which might occur in course of time between traversing worm and wormwheel. To give the necessary pressure between the traversing friction pinion (the discs) and the circular flange, and thus provide sufficient friction for traversing and suitable muzzle resistance, a roller is placed inside the flange which, by means of a spring and a bell crank lever, is pressed against the smooth inside surface of the flange. As the bell crank is hinged to the bracket, the roller keeps the friction pinion (the discs) up to its work, and also secures the bracket in its place. This traversing system has been used for a 4-in. mounting as well as for a 6-in., and has by now been given a good trial. It runs very smoothly, is not affected by wear, in fact it improves with it, and is not sensitive to any eccentricity of the working surfaces in the flange. No pressure from the spring can be communicated to the carriage pivot, so that no friction is set up between pivot and pedestal. It will be seen from this that a blow from the enemy's prejectile on gun or shield will simply cause tbe friction connection with the carnage to slip, and thus probably avoid disruption of the gearing. The necessity for an oil bath is, obviously, avoided, together with its elaborate oil-tight packings, &c. The difficulty of the manufacture of the large worm-wheel and of obtaining accurate fittings with its worm is removed the elasticity of the spring which produces the friction connection automatically takes up any irregularity that might
;

possibly exist in rings or discs. The carriage pivot is provided with a vertical roller-bearing, and double speed is provided in both elevatiiig and traversing gears. The change fronr one speed to another is done by turning over a small lever, and is both positive and instantaneous, as the engagement takes place in any position. The cradle and recoil cylinder are cut out of one forging by the procedure of boring, turning and slotting used by the firm for 6-in. as well as for 4-in. mountings. The shield provided for this mounting is of the usual type, but it will be noticed that the gunlayers, sight-setter and all the delicate parts of the sighting gear lie snugly

within

its shelter,

unexposed

to splinters, &c.,

caused by the enemy's

fire.

Firepositions,

Eegarding the fire-control positions

fitted

in the British ships,

the VBSsels of the St. Vincent and Indefatigable classes had their

mast forward of the funnel, the arrangement of the guns in these ships no doubt allowing for this, but in all vessels following these, with the exception of the cruisers of the 1911-12 programme, tlie mast with the fire-control position is abaft the funnel in the latter
;

vessels the fire-control positions

have been arranged on the forward

and

after

towers.

positions of the fire-control in

If
it

The Admiralty have decided to some of the later vessels.

modify the
it

is

desired to continue placing the control position aloft,

this

seems clear that

should be placed forward in the ship, before the

funnels, so as to lessen the inconvenience to the observers arising

GUN

SIGHTS.

289

from the heated gases or smoke, either of which are likely to impede the view. It should be as high up as possible also so that the accuracy of the observer's view should not be influenced by the

smoke

from his own guns. If, as in the latest American sliips, there is to be only one funnel, this should facilitate the problem, the importance of which is manifest, since the situation of It the control position is a vital principle of men-of-war design.
or vapour

seems likely, however, that before long the control stations will be brought down to conning-tower level. Accuracy of fire is very largely the result of the adoption of the Gun
Yickers well-known " Follow the Pointer " system, and this
is

being

applied to all mountings, irrespective of the bore of the gun or of the

number
which
is

of guns in the turret, whether one,

two or

three.

The principle,
is

now very widely

accepted, consists briefly in the fitting of

a large dial to the sight, with an electrically controlled pointer, as

shown on the following

switch
is

page, where the arrangement of the transmitter

also shown.

The

dial is graduated,

and there

is

an index
is

point on the stationary part of the sight.

When
is

the range

trans-

mitted from the control station the pointer

zero towards the range at, which the sight
sight-setter then operates his control

is

required to be
to

moved round from the The set.

keep this pointer

wheel so as
to

always opposite the index mark.

sight until the range

This consists in elevating the

on the

dial,

deflected, is brought opposite the zero mark.

which the pointer has been The same principle is

has been cut

applied to the deflection gear.

This system, after

many improvements,

down

to a

very simple form of transmitting switch, consisting of a plain

the
others alternately

drum

with four contact pieces, one of which makes continuous contact, and

engage with cams.

The receiving portion

plate,

consists of a simple step-by-step

motor mounted on a base

gearing with a

worm and wormwheel

is

of the spindle of the pointer.

The

deflection receiving portion is exactly the

same

as that for the

range, except that the gearing

of divisions.

arranged to suit the smaller number

The receiver
gear, in such a
this

for these instruments is so constructed as to

is

form

a separate unit, which

attached, in conjunction with the sighting

manner
its

that the sight

may

be used with or without

gear,

and

removal or emplacement does not make any

any alteration to enable the latter to be used in the ordinary way. To the ordinary transmitter there is fitted the repeat receiver, which acts as an indicator to the transmitting number. This repeat receiver registers the transmissions, and thus in itself forms a separate unit, and is exactly u
difference to the sighting gear or require

290

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Vickers' " Follow the Pointer "

Fire Control System. Kange and Deflection Instruments, Arrangement of Range Eepeat Receiver.

y^
Vickers' " Follow the Pointer "

mis

Fire Control System. Range and Deflection Instruments. Arrangement of Transmitter Switch.

PROJECTILES.
in conjunction with

291

the receiver attached to the sight, as already-

explained.

Naval Annual last year and the year before, which were introduced by two Sheffield firms, Thos. Firth & Sous and Hadfield's Steel Foundry Co., Ltd., the well-known

The hollow caps

referred to in the

Projectilea.

have completely proved their merit. Solid caps and all the leading navies of the world have adopted hollow caps and the few which have not already definitely accepted this type of cap for their armament are experimenting to
projectile makers,

are practically obsolete,

;

satisfy themselves of its value.

It is gratifying to

Englishmen that
evolved

new

departure of considerable

moment should have been

in this country, as so

many
first

recent inventions with regard to imple-

ments of warfare have

earliest caps being

seen the light in other countries, the

used in the Russian and United States Navies.

In this connection illustrations are given on pages 292-3.

These

show various fragments

fired at a

of various caps assembled after having been

;

mild

steel plate

all these

caps are of the same design, as

shown fitted to the unfired The caps marked " B " and
excellently, preser\T.ng
perforation.

projectile "

on the
it

left of

the illustration.

D"

have,

will be noticed,

behaved

The
mild

ring form until a late stage of the " and " C," which were not quite caps marked "
their

so good, have still

firing at a

made

a fairly perfect ring.

The object

of the

steel plate

was

to

make

certain of

catching the

fragments of cap so that they could be examined and reassembled.

When

fired against hard-faced plate, the caps are

more disrupted and

the pieces are

more

difficult to obtain.

It will be noticed that each

of the four caps tested

bursting.

Similar,

expanded about a calibre diameter before and indeed even more severe action, occurs in

regard to capped shot fired at hard-faced plates.

Mark.

"

292

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

one of the Hadfleld " Heclon " Armour-Piercing Projectiles 12-in calibre, weighing 860 lb., equipped with their new Patent Cap, which was recently fired against a 12-in. K.C. (Knipp Cemented) Plate at under 1700 f.s., equivalent to a range of about 6i miles.

This Projectile, taken from current supplies, represents

Hadtield

of large bursting after perforating,

ThisjProjectile represents a 14-in. "Eron" hell capacity,

unbroken,

The
the

Projectile

12-in. Plate,

perforated the Skin Plate,

a 6-in. K.C. (Krupp Cemented) Plate of the latest type. The Projectile was fired ut the low velocity of 1120 f.s., passed through the K.C. Plate, Backing, 24 feet of sand-butt, and was recovered unbroken about a quarter of a mile beyond the
butt.

This Projectile represents a Hadfleld 14-in. ' Heclon Armour-Piercing Shot (Capped) after perforating, unbroken, a 12-in. K.C. (Krupp Cemented) Plate of the latest type. This projectile was flred at a velocity of 1497 f.s., passed through the 12-in. K.C. Plate and no less than 20 feet of sand butt. No other 12-in. K.C. Plate has yet been perforated at this
e.xtraordinary low velocity, which is eq\nvalent to a range of no less than 7i miles that is, a 12-in. K.C. Plate would have been perforated by this Hadfleld Projectile from a gun placed 7i miles awaj'.

Backing and Target, and was recovered unbroken at a distance of over 2 miles beyond
the target.

Hadfield's Large-calibre A. P. Capped Projectiles.

2^3

-'^^^ammasmmmmm

294

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

ammunition from the smallest type of

piercer,

1 pdr. to the 15 -in. armourwith either Lyddite or T.N.T., and fitted with fuses of the firm's own design. Their arrangements enable them also, though not manufacturers of cordite, to supply

the projectiles being

filled

completed cartridges both for breech-loading guns using silk clothcovered cartridges and for quick-firing guns having their charges
contained in brass cases.
for

The necessary
all the

tubes, primers, brass cases

packing the cartridges, and

other details, are also

now

The firm is therefore in a position to supply complete ammunition for a battleship, AmmuniIn last year's edition an improved ammunition hoist for dealing '^^t^ ^^6 ammunition of the lighter armaments was described. This hoists. hoist was power-worked and intended for comparatively long lifts. Messrs. Armstrong have now designed and patented a hoist which can readily be worked by one man without excessive effort. The arrangement is very simple and ingenious, and almost, except the effort of the man in pulling on a rope, automatic in its action, as it receives the ammunition below and deposits it without further attention on to the loading tray at the gun position. Although a man can lift a 100-lb. projectile breast high, he would
have much difficulty in raising it above his head in order to pass it through the gun-house floor to a man above. Also there would be considerable danger of the projectile being dropped. The possibility
of

supplied by them.

men

being able to pass the projectiles up at the rate required

is

doubtful.

From experiments which have been made,

if

it

has been
a very

proved that

the projectile

is

hoisted in a light cage balanced as to

it is

the weight of the cage and half the weight of the projectile,

easy matter for a

(such as
is

man

pulling at a sufficiently large and soft rope

bell) to raise the projectile in

used in tolling a

about

three seconds.
jectile into a
it

The new Elswick

hoist

is

made

to deliver the pro-

swinging loading tray, by which with one other motion

can be swung round into the gun.

The loading tray

is

swung

round into the position to receive the projectile, is made with a hinge, and is cut away to allow the two Z-shaped arms of the cage to pass through it. Thus the projectile in rising passes above the loading tray by tipping it like a flap, which then falls down under the projectile, the arms of the cage on its return passing through the loading tray, and leaving the projectile supported on the
loading tray.

As

the guides of the cage are curved to a radius

struck from the trunnion centre, the above action can take place at

any angle at which the gun

is

required to be loaded.

No one is required to attend the hoist above the floor level, and the man loading has only to swing the loading tray round to the gun

AMMUNITION
and
the

HOISTS.

295

to return it for the next projectile.

One man below hauls up

Another man below

the cage and projectile, and then hauls (by the other side of the rope)
cage

down and

the

balance weight up.

keeps the waiting tray charged, and the cage on coming

automatically receives a
the

down

new

projectile.

man

hauling up the projectile

of the hoist

would show when the gun-loading tray was

indicator
:

An

in place ready to receive another projectile.

The operation

is

as follows

When
and 20
lb.

the

man

pulls at the bell rope he hauls

;

up the 100
is

lb.

shot

weight of cage

the balance-weight, which

70

lb.,

helps

him, so that in effect he

the projectile

lifts

only 50

can do hand over hand easily.

is

He

which with a soft rope he pulls down, say, 8 ft. of rope and
lb.,

brought above the loading tray.

the balance-weight

He

then

lets
is

go the

rope and the projectile settles into the loading tray, but

pressing

on

it

with only 50

lb.,

still

holding against the

is

rest of the
rest, in

weight of the projectile and cage.

it is

This

a position of

any length of time. By taking hold of the other rope and hauling down the empty cage,
which
safe to let go of the rope for

20

lb.

of cage

is

assisting to
is

lift

the 70
lb. only.

lb.

balance-weight, so that the cage

is

the effort on the rope

again 50

When

fully

hauled
holds
time.

down

it

has struck a catch which sets free the projectile

This projectile falling into
left for

ready in the waiting-tray.

it

the

cage
of

in place,

and again the rope can be

any length

Should there not be a projectile in the waiting-tray, the cage is held by an independent catch, which only gets relieved of its duty when a projectile is placed or rolls into the cage. The cordite, which
is

within the weight a

man

can easily handle,

illustrates

is

passed through a

hatch in the floor on the opposite side of the gun.

The diagram on the following page

used, for example,

an ammunition hoist
is

patented by Messrs. Armstrong, of the differential type such as

where the powder charges are stowed on a deck above the shell-room, so that the cage used for raising the powder charges has a smaller distance to travel than the cage carrying the
shell.

The

object of the invention

is

to provide a differential hoist of

improved construction, more especially as regards simplicity of One of the cages is conmechanism and certainty of operation. nected to the other by a rope reeved over sheaves mounted on either cage, one end of the rope being fixed to one or other of the cages,
while the other end
is fixed in a suitable position so that when the The number of upper cage moves the lower cage moves faster. sheaves is such as to give the required increase of travel to the lower

cage.

Should, however, the difference in travel of the cages be such

296

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

r.o

Fic
I

a
I\rouNTiNGS.

Akmstrong Ammunition Hoists for Heavy Gun

FIELD GUNS.
that
it

29?

cannot be obtained by a mere multiplication of the sheaves,

the

number of sheaves are employed that would give a difference of movement larger than is required, and the end of the rope is attaclied to a slide which is moved downwards by the lower cage in the last part of its downward travel. The seamen of the Navy are often called upon to conduct expeditions in the various parts of the Empire, and the naval landing gun
is

Lauding
^^"^'

probably the most frequently used in actual warfare of

all

naval

weapons.

gun
is

offers

These guns are usually of the 12-pdr. type, but the machine considerable advantages, especially in hilly country, and it

therefore interesting to record, not only the

improvements made

by Messrs. Vickers, in their well-known Adjustable Tripod Mounts for their Automatic E.G. Gun, but in the limber which they are manufacturing in connection ^vitll these tripod mountings for the
use of naval landing parties.

The

tripod

mount

is

of advantage, not only because

it

can be so

easily carried itself over difficult country, but because

it is

mounted

in such a

way

as to enable the

gunner

to take

advantage of any cover

which the natural contour of the country affords him. The illustrations on page 298 show the gun and tripod mount in various positions. There is first an elevation showing the gun in its highest position, Th'^ viz., with the line of sight 32 in. from the ground level. in sight 16 second shows it in its lowest position with the line of from the ground level. There is also a view showing the gun behind
a bank, against which the two front legs are resting, while the trail

shoe of the rear leg has

slipping.

its

deep flange so placed as to prevent

In

all positions the

gun can be

trained about a vertical

is

pivot without altering the angle of elevation in which the gun

laid,

while the slope of the ground on which the gun

may

thus be

adapted ranges from 50 degrees descending to 60 degrees ascending. These figures show the great adaptability of the tripod mount. The
last

view shows the mounting in

its

housed position.

In this case

the front legs are folded back for facility in transit.

The important feature is, of course, the method of mounting the gun and securing the legs, and altering their angle, relative to each
other,
to

the quadrant-shaped

structure,

illustrated

in

detail

on

page 299.
enable
carried on a crosshead with a pivot which fits into a socket to This pivot has a frame extending rearwards, on which is carried the elevating screw of the usual right- and loft-handed screw type, and on the same frame there is a clamp to secure the gun at the desired elevation. The socket for the pivot and the training arc are mounted on guides on the top of the casing carrying the screw for the adjustment of the legs and of the position of the gun relative to the ground level or slope. There are two movable training stops, each having a spring plunger engaging in teeth formed under the training arc. As shown in the section lili, on page 2'J'J,
itself is
it

The gun

to be trained.

29B

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

O
P5

299

300

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

when the plunger is pushed down, the teeth are disengaged, and the stop may be the training arc. The clamp for the top carriage consists of an eccentric bolt and link with a hinged plate. The adjusting gear handle serves for this clamp, and fits on a hexagon on the eccentric bolt. When the handle is pushed down, the eccentric bolt on the socket raises the hinged plate against the guides on the adjusting gear casing, and thereby the top carriage is secured in any position. The handle operates the adjusting screw through bevel gearing, and by this means raises and lowers the adjusting nut, as seen on the large elevation on page 299. The upper ends of the front and rear legs are engaged by this adjusting nut, and through it receive parallel motion, which alters their angle relative to the ground level. This adjusting gear is enclosed in a casing having at the top of the side-plates guides for the top carriage, and as these guides are fitted outside as well as inside they hold the side-plates rigid. The side-plates are also provided with bearings for the fulcrums of the front and rear legs, and with slots which form guides for the adjusting nut. The front legs are attached to a Y-piece pivoted in the front bearing, which receives its movement when the adjusting nut is raised or lowered, and on each side of this Y-piece there is a bolt with an eccentric clamp for attaching the front leg. Above, and radial from the bolt, is a toothed segment for engaging the teeth formed at the top of the front leg. By this means the mounting can be adapted for any uneven grormd. At the upper end the legs are secured by means of a link having a longitudinal slot, so that the legs can be disconnected from the teeth of the Y-piece and folded back as in the housed position. The rear leg of the trail is pivoted in the rear bearing. Its angle relative to the ground is altered by the raising or lowering of the adjusting nut. A word may be said regarding the seat for the gunner. It is carried on a hinged bracket and a sliding sleeve, so that it can be pushed down flat on the trail to form a kneeling pad when the gun is being fired in the lowest positions. Again, the upper part of the seat is made in two halves, and is hinged in front so that the two parts can be swung round horizontally to form elbow-rests when the gunner desires to adopt the reclining position. A sliding bolt is provided to lock the seat in any position. There are only five clamping handles on the mounting, and they are all arranged to operate downwards. The handle for the adjustment gear is detachable, and it serves also for clamping the top carriage. The following are particulars of the mounting

moved along

Weight

of

mounting

Maximum Maximum

kgs. elevation (training pivot vertical) 16 deg. depression (training pivot vertical) 4 deg.
4:51b.

=20-5

Slope of ground on which the mounting can be adapted with training pivot vertical from 5 deg. descending to 60 deg. ascending. Lowest position, line of sight 16 in. off the ground (406 mm.). Highest position, line of sight 32 in. ofi the ground (812 mm.). Sixteen turns of the adjusting handle serve to raise the mounting from the lowest to the highest position.

A
this

naval landing limber has been specially designed for carrying

adjustable tripod mounting. The limber itself carries 7000 rounds of ammunition and has the usual accessories and entrenching
tools,
it is

and is so formed that the tripod can be mounted on it so that ready to be fired even in transit. The ammunition is accomIt is

modated in seven compartments, and four seats are provided.

but one important feature
the
is

scarcely necessary to enter into details regarding the construction,

that everything

is

strongly made, and

utilised

reliability

to ensure even with the severe treatment inevitable in heavy country. The following gives the weights of the gun, tripod and limber

experience of Messrs.

Vickers

has

been

Weight Weight Weight

of gun of tripod
of

limber with 7000 rounds of ammunition

Total

28 45 1240

lb.
,, ,,

= = =

12 7 kgs.

20-5 562

,, ,,

1313

595-2

TOIU'EDOES.
Writincr ^ in the Naral

301 Vice-Admiral Sir Sidney

Annual

for 1910,

Eardley-Wilmot, in reviewing the position of the Whitehead torpedo as a weapon for use at sea, remarked that " greater simplicity and

111

^^"to-

mobile
torpedoes,

much

higher velocity seem essential to give this form of attack a more assured position in naval warfare." Sometime has now elapsed, and it is interesting to again review the position of the torpedo and see to what extent either or both of the above requirements have been actually met in practice. Before doing this, however, it is perhaps desirable to point out to anyone who may refer to the Naval Annual for 1910 that one particular feature, at any rate, which was not then existing must be mentioned if the torpedo is to be given In comparing the Whitehead torpedo with a 12-in. its true value. gun, the inference was made tliat the gun, at any rate, possessed an
effective

range of something like double that of the torpedo.

fact,
it

matter of
equals
if

the effective range of the Whitehead torpedo

As a now
fact

does not actually exceed that of the gun.

The

that the torpedo maintains for the whole of its course a definite

depth eliminates altogether the chances of missing

variations
in

its

object due to

the

trajectory curve, and,

fired,

as

recent practices have

borne out, a torpedo

single

say,

at

the centre of a line of ships in

to

column line ahead, the chances are only two some ship being hit, even up to ranges of 10,000 yards.
it
is

one against

Consequently

only reasonable to believe that with a considerable number of

there
exists

torpedoes fired without any particular objective, but at the centre of

fleet,

every probability that some will, in actual

practice, hit one or other of the ships

composing the

fleet

and since

at the ranges

now

possible with the torpedo, torpedo craft, or even

the smaller fast cruisers,

would be

practically at a safe distance,

the possibility of successful daylight attack with the torpedo has to

be seriously reckoned with.

As
its

is

well known, the Whitehead torpedo has, in the course of

size,

development, tended to increase in

and the majority of

torpedoes being manufactured at the present time for our

foreign

own

or

Governments are of the

its

21-in. diameter type.

This larger

torpedo, on account of the increased weight of charge carried, and on

account of

increased

speed and length,

is

considerably more

formidable than the previous type of 18-in. torpedo, although this

latter is still preferred for

some torpedo

craft

and submarines.
diameter

In the

gradual growth towards the increased size the torpedo has remained
fairly constant as regards the ratio of length to
;

consequently,
ft.

the 21-in.

torpedo

is

in

the

neighbourhood of 22

long,

and

possibly represents the limit in size that present-day launching tubes

and appliances

for

handling render convenient or even possible.

302

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Speaking generally,
it

may

be said that
are
fitted

all

torpedoes under

construction at the present time

with superheaters for

con-

heating the

air,

and many have added

to this generators for

air,

verting water into steam, which, added to the heated

than doubles the efficiency

pressed air charge alone.

more that could be obtained from the com-

But with these improvements, complications

in machinery and the necessity of greater care in handling bring up

again

the original question as to whether greater simplicity has

It certainly

resulted in the last two years.

cannot be claimed that

formerly,

torpedoes can be more simply adjusted

now than they were

but there
for

is

a tendency

certainly

abroad

to

construct torpedoes the

one range and one speed only, and with

efficient.

tliese limitations

But assuming that the principle of one range one speed is generally adopted, it means that two torpedoes are required for carrying out the best form of day and night attack a long-range, slow torpedo is most desirable for day attack, whereas a short-range and high-speed torpedo is more suitable at night; and the present tendency is to provide two separately designed torpedoes to fulfil these two differing conditions. The following table shows the present speeds and ranges of the torpedoes constructed by Messrs. Whitehead & Co., of Fiume. There is also shown the amount of explosive carried in the head.
:

torpedo can be more simple and

Speeds and Explosive Charge op Torpedoes.

Diameter of Torpedo.

Torpedoes,

HIGH-ANGLE MOUNTINGS.

303

perfected a submerged tube into which the torpedo can be introduced

from the

side.

simple in their operation.

The arrangements adopted are extremely ingenious and As in the previous well-known Elswick

submerged torpedo-tube, compressed air or gas is admitted into the outer tube in rear of the piston, and this drives the piston forward. When the piston with the attached shield has travelled to a certain
distance, a large valve in the axis of the piston is allowed to open,

admitting the pressure to act on the torpedo

itself, and force it out. The increased weight of the piston and shield necessitated the employment of new methods to bring them to rest at the completion

of their stroke.
this purpose.

Pneumatic, hydraulic or spring buffers are used for

The large side-door requires power for its operation. smaller power motor, either electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic or
and
at the

steam, working through a series of levers, actuates this door without

difficulty,

same time

carries the torpedo into its position

in the piston.

As
a large

regards above-water tubes, Messrs. Armstrong have carried out

number
for

of experiments with the object of perfecting arrange-

ments

above-water discharge, and to produce a tube which will

working, with due regard to strength.

ensure accurate ejection of the torpedo, combined with lightness and

facility of

They have evolved

such a tube, and have constructed a large number of them for

different navies.

The advent

of the airship

and the aeroplane, and the rapid and Gun

jngg^or

widely entertained growth of opinion in favour of their potentialities

is illustrated the system designed by Messrs. Vickers for enabling the 4-in. 40-cal. and the 3-in. 50-cal. guns to be mounted on pedestals on board ship, in order to give a

in war, has naturally occupied the attention of the designers of ord- airship

nance, and on the following page

high angle not only for use against aerial fighting machines, but for
other purposes where a high trajectory
is

desired.

Little

need be

said about the guns, as they are of the firm's standard type. chief interest
is

The

associated with the mounting.

The mounting consists, first, of the usual cradle with recoil cylinder and running out gear, the springs of the latter being arranged in a single column enclosed in a steel tube secured to the underside of the cradle, to be readily removable for adjustment. Second, a carriage of the usual Y shape, having side cheeks carrying the trunnion bearings and a vertical pivot, with suitable elevating and training gear operated by handwheels, and a platform and seat for the man operating these elevating, training and sight wheels, as well as one for the operating and quick loading gear. Third, a pedestal with a training wormwheel at the upper end, and roller bearings at the top and bottom and a baU-thrust bearing. The elevating gear is the most novel feature, and five turns of the handle suffice to raise the breech from 90 deg. to 30 deg. for loading. As shown on the drawings published on page 304 the elevating arc is secured to the cradle by the brackets which carry the running out springs, while the pinion is carried on a hollow cross shaft on the upper carriage. The left-hand end of the shaft is arranged to receive a sliding clutch, which engages with a wormwheel. The boss of the clutch

304

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

^'6-5_'of*n9 ^B< _^

ViCKERS' S.A. 4-INCH (10 CM.) 40-CAL.

HiGH ANGLE PEDESTAL MOUNTING.

AIRSHIP ATTACK.

305

screws into the boss of the wormwheel with a quick pitch screw. A sliding bolt locks the clutch to the wormwhcel. The wormwhcel is mounted on a sleeve which carries a pinion gearing with a rack which swings on the trunnions and carries the sighting gear. By this means the movement of the sight coincides with the gun when the elevating gear is operated. One turn of the handwhecl elevates the
is worked from the right hand of the mounting, the crank handle being geared to the cross-shaft by spur wheels. The sliding bolt is withdrawn by the foot lever and the clutch disengages itself automatically from the wormwheel when the loading gear is operated. The training gear consists of a wormwheel on the top of the pedestal secured by means of a friction clamp so as to relieve the gear from excessive shock. Gearing with the wormwheel is a worm connected by bevel gearing to the training handwheel. The worm runs in an oil bath and is fitted with ball bearings and an adjusting device for taking up wear. The elevating and training handwheels are carried on the same bracket. The handle of the training wheel is fitted with a pistol with electrical firing gear so that the operator may fire the gun without taking his hand off the wheel. One turn of handwheel trains the gun 3 deg. The sight is connected to the arc pivotally mounted on the left hand trunnion, and has arrangements to correct the ranging angle automatically for the different pointing angles. The telescope is of special design, having the eye-piece at the side The pawl for actuating the for convenience in sighting at high pointing angles. semi-automatic gear is attached to a bracket on the cradle, on the right-hand side The pawl can be thrown out of action when using the gun as of the mounting. quick-fire instead of semi-automatic by means of a small lever actuated by a handle on the right hand side of the mounting.

gun 2 deg. The loading gear

for the 3-in. semi-automatic

Armstrong have also introduced a pedestal mounting gun for balloon or torpedo-boat attack. The gun and its mountings, shown on page 306, are designed to form the ordinary armament of torpedo-boat destroyers, and in addition to be suitable for attacking airships. For these combined purposes the training and elevating mechanisms of the mounting are arranged to give large and rapid movements to the gun and sight both in direction and elevation. As a rapidly moving airship may appear suddenly from any direction and at any altitude, it is necessary that the sights
Messrs.

should be capable of being aligned on

it

in the shortest possible time.

always aimed at and bring it into the field of the sighting telescope by the aid of open sights. The mounting is sighted on both sides, the sights being cross connected to give the same range and deflection to each sight. The gunlayer on the left elevates and aligns his sight in elevation only, and fires. The gunlayer on the right trains and aligns his sight in direction only. The range and deflection is set by a third man or sight setter. As accuracy and rapidity of aiming and firing depend on the gunlayers being well supported and steadied in the most convenient positions for using the telescopes and the elevating and training handwheels, both the gunlayers are provided with seats, each having a footrest and a breastrest.
this reason the sights are arranged so that the gunlayers

For

look in

the

direction

of the

object

The eyepieces of the

axis,

telescopes are slightly in front of the trunnion

follow,

and are so placed that they

when

elevating, the natural

movements

of the gunlayer's or trainer's

eye when looking upward at X

306

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

VICKERS' AUTOMATIC
an object in mid-air.
so that

RTFLE.

307

The pivot round which the sight bar rocks when

of the setting of the sights for range very

giving angles of elevation for range coincides with the trunnion axis,

any

alteration

slightly aftects the position of the telescope eye-pieces.

round which the carriage revolves when

carriage is supported
jMessrs.

training

is

internal

The pedestal and the

rifle
A.utorifle.

by a

ball-bearing.

Vickers have

recently

completed an
trials

automatic

which,

to

judge from the very successful

it,

which have been

carried out with

promises to be a great advance on any weapon

of this type yet produced.

Owing

to the careful balancing of all the

and the long recoil of the mechanism, the force of which is absorbed by spiral springs, the " kick " has been reduced to a minimum, and with the rifle in question it is possible to fire a long All series of shots at great rapidity without unduly tiring the man. trigger and press the clip from a he has to do is to fill the magazine
parts

removing the rifle from his shoulder or taking his attention from the object aimed at. The force of recoil developed by the explosion of the charge is used to unlock the breech and reload the rifle automatically. The mechanism comprises very few parts, which are simply and strongly constructed. All the working parts can be taken apart and put
for each shot without

together again with great facility, and the assembling of the

a quick

rifle is

and simple operation which can be performed without any The whole mechanism is tools, a cartridge only being required. self-contained and can be removed from the rifle in one operation,
and,

when

in position,

is

so covered in that the rifle

is

practically

dust-proof.

The
is

rifle

is

constructed to

fire

high-velocity
ft.

cartridges

with

pointed bullets, giving a velocity of over 2800

constructed to take five cartridges, but,
if

sees.

The magazine

required, the capacity

can be increased to take a greater number of rounds. The gun is arranged so that it can be used as an ordinary magazine rifle, and
is

changed from automatic

to single fire
;

by simply turning a small

can then be operated by using the The weight of the rifle rifle. magazine bolt lever as in an ordinary any way impairing the in without has been kept as low as possible
lever .on the side of the
rifle
it

efficiency of

any

of the

mechanism

details or of the barrel.

last

The expansion of the Coventry Ordnance Works during the

year has been considerable.

Coventry

In order to deal with the increased worTs^

work and ensure rapid delivery, large additions have been made to the plant of the Company, new shops fitted completely with machines of the latest types being installed at both the Coventry and

volume

of

Scotstoun Works.

308

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

309

310

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Amongst
the

many

other innovations introduced during the last

:

Designs of guns for the and balloons are being produced and promise Various models of an entirely new design to be very successful. These of automatic rifle are being manufactured at the works. models can be arranged to be functioned by gas, or recoil, and are being adapted for different sizes and classes of ammunition. An experimental automatic rifle calibre machine-gun has been
year the following are of general interest
attack of aeroplanes

manufactured and passed through successful trials. The mechanism is similar to that of the automatic rifle, and the designs allow great advantage in weight over existing types, and also have the advantage
that

when

supplied in conjunction with the

is

rifle

no special training

of the troops

required for the use or care and maintenance of the

machine-gun.
Fuses.

Extended and most satisfactory experiments with fuses for high explosive shell have been carried out, and the fuse design shows
several novel features, especially as regards safety arrangements.

Amongst
mountings
is

the improvements introduced into hydraulically worked

a hydraulic sight.
to raise or

The arrangement
is

is

such that the

power required
cylinder, the

lower the sight

supplied by a hydraulic

movement

of

which

is

controlled

operated by the range dial spindle.

The range

dial

by a rotating valve is revolved by

is

hand

in the usual manner.

feature of this arrangement

that the

dial can be placed behind the sight where there is ample space in Also all mechanical gearing, and consequent backlash, is the turret.

obviated.

The optical part

of the sight can be passed either vertically

or horizontally through the gun-house armour.

Owing

to the small

lends itself power required to turn the range any method of director-control from a central position. Another novel feature in connection with hydraulic mountings is an improved ramming and cordite tilting by means of which the total time previously required to load any given type of gun is materially
dial, this sight readily

to

reduced.

The 6-in.-4-in. high and low velocity and 12-pdr, designs of mountings have been improved and brought up to date in the light
of recent experience.

As
years.

regards the

number

of contracts

Coventry Company

rapid strides have been

now in the hands of the made during the last few

Guns of

various sizes, including the very largest manufactured,

have passed successfully through proof, and several contracts for guns up to the largest sizes are now being executed for the British and The five twin 13"5-in. hydraulic mountings for other Governments. the Conqueror have all been tried with marked success in the pits at

CORDITE.
the Scotstoun

and the gunnery trials of these at sea will probably have been carried out before this volume is in print. The manufacture of tlie five similar mountings for the Ajax (the order for which was placed during the latter part of 1910) is nearing completion. A further order for a set of five heavy mountings for a battleship of the 1911-12 programme has recently been received. A new Coventry design Mark VII. of a 6-in. upper deck shielded mounting has recently been accepted by the Admiralty, and an order for a number of these mountings is in hand. Several
of the firm,

Works

mountings

for various sizes of the Coventry-Holmstrom breech mechanism have also been made. The services of Mr. Howard Wright, the experienced designer and manufacturer of aeroplanes, have been secured for this firm, and his factory, where monoplanes and biplanes of all descriptions have been produced during the last few years, has been purchased by the Company and incorporated as an Aviation Department. Special macliines

contracts

are being designed for competition in the

War

Office Military Aero-

plane
also

Trials,

1912,

and are now approaching completion.

The
have

services of Mr. T. Sopwith, the experienced English aerial pilot,

been retained.
all

The Company

is

therefore in

a-

position to supply

aeroplanes of

kinds of designs both for flight over land or water.

Messrs. William Beardmore

&

Co. during the past twelve

months

Messrs.
'

have been making further experiments with tubular cordite in a ^^^^^ 12-in. gun with results that are not only satisfactory but tend to & Co.

show that the power of guns may be considerably increased without any loss of " life," or that for the same power the " life " may be
considerably prolonged.

Their attention has also been given to the question of suitable

weight of projectile for modern conditions of warfare,

ranges
;

i.e.,

at long

weight can only be gained usefully by increased length, and

this brings in the question of rifling as affecting the stability of the projectile.

Given
for

sufficient stability at the long ranges, it is obvious

its

that the heavier projectile, by retaining

velocity better, will be

more

effective

perforation

of armour,

and has

also the great

advantage of carrying a longer bursting charge.

The firm's gun factory at Parkhead is in process of extension, to meet the growth of their business in the manufacture of ordnance, and a complete new shop for the manufacture of breech mechanism

Mechanism for a of all sizes has been installed during the past year. number of 13*5-in. and 9'2-in. guns is now being manufactured by them for the Admiralty and War Office;. In the gun-mounting department a new design of hand-worked mounting for a 6-in. gun has been completed and is under trial. It

312
is

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

6-in. 50-calibre

very questionable whether such a heavy gun as a

efficiently

worked by hand in a seaway with considerable motion on the ship. The improvements introduced in this mounting materially add to its efficiency in this connection. A description of this mounting is given on page 285. As regards armour, the year 1911 has not witnessed any startling developments. In the Parkhead Works, however, there have been improvements made in the present quality, with the result that a greater uniformity is now obtained. Evidence of this fact is shown by the consistently good results obtained at firing trials on plates selected from supplies. The output of the firm was not so large as in the previous year,
can be
the reason being that extensive additions were being
plant,

made

to the

which hindered

to

some extent

the

regular work.

The

additions
press,
is

viz.,

several

new

treating furnaces, a 10,000-ton bending

and a new armour-rolling mill

belt

are now working, and the plant

now
The

capable of producing 10,000 tons of armour per annum.

Conqueror was completed during the armour for the King George V., Ajax and Audacious. One branch of armour manufacture which has been improved considerably during the year is that of armoured communication tubes. Those now produced are equal, if not superior, to facehardened plates of equal thickness. A considerable quantity of deck

armour

for the

year, also the barbette

plating also has been finished.

firing trial,

This material

is

now

subjected to
tested with

several plates from supplies having been

excellent results.

This firing

trial is

purely a shock
fire.

test,

the plate
it

being attacked at an acute angle to line of

sidered that this material
is

When

is

con-

not subjected to treatment, or at most

it

to a simple annealing after rolling,

is

obvious that the material

must be
Elswick
system.

of a superior class.

Messrs. Armstrong have introduced a revised method of igniting

the cordite charges of guns which have the
obturation.
risk

De Bange system of improvement is to diminish the of accident when charges which have the igniting material
The intention
of this
it

attached to the bag are being handled in the gun-house or magazines.

Furthermore,
magazines.

does

away with any danger

that

may

be attached to

stowing cartridges which have their igniting material attached in the

The Elswick system provides

for the lighting primers to

be kept and handled quite apart from the cartridge.

the priming charge.

Special arrangefor receiving

ments are made in the mushroom head of the obturator

This subject
is

an interesting one, and no doubt further develop-

ments of

it

will be followed with considerable interest.

SUBMARINE MINES.
Withiu the past few years there has
mine.
This
is

3i;

l)een

ready and convinced Auto-

recognition of the great potentialities of the automatic submarine marine

a direct consequence of experience in recent wars, i"^^of these

and of the improvements made in the mechanical features

instruments of destruction to ensure safety in liandling them on land

ViCKERS' Automatic Submarine

Mine

(No. 5a).

and on

l)oard

mine-laying ships, to

effect ])r('cisi()n

in laying

them,

particularly in respect of the depth of submersion below the surface,

and

to achieve efficiency in action.

In

tlie

Iiusso-.Tapancse

war great destruction was wrought by

mines, and the numl)cr of ships sunk by these instruments quickened

interest

and stimulated experimental research towards improvements

314
in

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

and
efficiency.

respect of safety, precision

Now
"

there

is

full

confidence in their potentialities.

Sir George Clarke, a great authority

on

all

matters of defence, said, some years ago, that

the fact that the

whole question of submarine mine defence has been allowed to remain in the hands of experts who ignore naval requirements and the practical conditions of war accounts for much misdirected energy and some evident danger." Therefore, it is well that the question has recently been taken up by a firm who make a continuous study
of the necessities
of

war

as

an element in the solution of the

mechanical problems associated with the manufacture and use of war

it is to meet all naval and the practical of war, were compelled by requirements conditions the success of the submarine mine in the Far East to take up this weapon, and the result has been most interesting.

munitions.

Messrs. Vickers, whose aim

Success in mining-

In connection with the automatic type of mines, the essential

conditions to be fulfilled are as follows
:

The

firing gear

must be

delicately adjusted in order to ensure explosion of the charge with

the slightest shock due to the contact of the passing ship, and yet
provision

must be made

so that the

mine cannot be

fired

prematurely

either on land or in the mine-laying ship or

when being launched

into a " field."

The depth

of

immersion under the surface must be

floating

constant and precisely as predetermined, irrespective of the distance

between the surface and the bed on which the

anchored.

mine

is

to

be

further desideratum

is

that in the event of one or two

fired
;

mines exploding the adjacent ones should not be

be recognised
is

this it will

a difficult condition, as the concussion of the water

resulting from the explosion of one

mine tends

to disturb others as

greatly as the contact of a passing ship, especially in the case of a

sensitive mine.

These conditions are met in the Vickers mine as a

of

result of experiment

The patent type

any
explosion of

and practical mine which

tests.
is

illustrated

on page 313 obviates

set

possibility of either the shock or

wave motion

up by the

one mine

affecting others.

This mine is globular in form, and is fitted with a lever which projects beyond the mine, and is deflected radially from its set position when the mine comes in contact with the ship, and rolls along the side of the hull. The action of this contact lever releases the firing gear, which is then actuated by the buoyancy of the mine. The lever is locked by a spring-supported spindle, so that the shock must be one of considerable force. A submerged log, for instance, would not be sufficient to displace the lever from its locked position. The lover and its mechanism is placed on the bottom of the spherical mine. On it there is a stop, B, so that only when it is forced radially through a certain arc by contact with the ship can the mine be fired. Percussion is achieved when the projection B has cleared the end of the
striking

mechanism.

firing gear is unlocked, a direct pull is exerted on the spindle. It will be seen that at C there is a forked crosshead, each end terminating in a bulb to fit over the concave head of the striker spindle A. As the forked crosshead is drawn outwards, its ends drop into the enlarged part D, releasing the trigger spindle A, which, impelled

The

TRIALS WITH MINES.

by
its

315

At E there is introduced an clastic not affected by sea-water. The contact lever prevents detonation until it is struck by a passing ship. There is the further provision that this lever cannot operate until a sal-ammoniac seal is melted, which can only be accomplished after the mine has been immersed. At the same time there is a plug, G, at the top of the mine, which permits the igniting charge to be withdrawn through the cover over the detonator cylinder, which is screwed in place at the last moment before immersion.
spring, robouuds against the detonator.
joint, to ensure tliat the firing

mechanism

is

Many

trials

have been carried out with these mines

to establish

their safety before immersion, their efficiency

when they came

in

contact with ships travelling at even the lowest practicable speed,

and the accuracy with which they can be immersed and anchored at To accomplish this lasta predetermined depth from the surface. mentioned result there is an anchoring chamber and a winch with paying-out cable, which is seen alongside the actual flotation chamber in the section on page 313. The paying-out cable is connected to the end of the spindle actuating the firing gear, and passes through The cursor is of soft metal, a cursor on to the drum of the winch. being easily removable, while the cable is of steel, so that there is no excessive wear of the cable. The section on page 313 shows the mine complete in transit on a bogie on rails. The projection at the bottom is simply a brake in connection with the transit arrangement.

When launched the weight is detached, and drops for the whole length of the sounding-line, which is fixed in any particular mine at the depth at which the mine itself is to be immersed under the water surface. This weight, which acts as a plumbline, is, as seen, supported in a cavity on a spring-loaded spindle, in order that when the weight touches bottom, the tension of the spring is released, so that the spindle, actuated by the spring, drives a pawl into the pinion of the paying-out drum. As soon as the mine is floated the cable begins to pay out, the anchor chamber sinking. To the end of the shaft of the paying-out winch there is secured a threaded extension, in contact with which is a square nut M, which, under normal circumstances, bears against the spindle carrying the pawl for engagement with the toothed pinion of the winch. Ultimately this nut clears the spindle, but so long as the weight is acting on the spindle it cannot rise in the guide N. As soon as the weight touches bottom, and the pull upon the spindle ceases, the spring forces the spindle through the groove up the guide until the pawl enters into one of the teeth in the wheel P, arresting the motion of the paying-out winch. At the same time, the springloaded stop Q advances into the spindle cavity, retains the spindle in the highest position of its vertical travel, and thus clamps permanently the toothed flange on the winch. The action of this apparatus is thus positive, and definitely and permanently clamps the winch. In this way it is impossible for the winch to rotate in any way, so that even strong currents have no effect upon the degree of immersion of the flotation chamber of the mine.

From

the foregoing description

to

it

will be understood that as the

pay out when the weight of the sounding-line has reached the bottom, and as the weight of the winch drags the flotation chamber downwards with it, the final mooring position of the flotation chamber will be a distance from the surface equal to

winch ceases

the length ])etween the anchoring chamber and the weight on the
sounding-line.

E.xhaustive trials have been

made

of this anchoring system to

determine the accuracy in the depth of immersion of mines designed

316 on
this principle.

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Four mines were used for this series of tests. In each case there was brought into operation a hydraulic brake mounted on the shaft of the paying-out cable at 11, and the strength
which regulates the speed of the sinking of the anchor, The mines were lowered from lb. the deck of a ship, and the sounding-weight was dropped into the In no case did the degree of immersion sea at the same time.
of this brake,

varied from about 4*4 to 15-4

actually obtained exceed 20 per cent, of that desired.

of immersion of a little

In the case

more than

3 yards (3 metres) the result

was

in the worst case only 6 '66 per cent, in excess of that aimed at; with about 5h yards (5 metres), immersion 6 per cent. and with
;

about 8f yards (8 metres), immersion under 4 per cent. The speed of immersion was tested in several trials in a depth of

water of 72 to 75 metres. The predetermined depth of submergence was 5 ft. in water of a depth of 75 metres, and the time taken to anchor was 32 seconds, giving a speed of about 2-3 metres per
second.

With a depth

of 72 metres the time taken

2.J

giving a speed of practically

metres per second.

was 28 seconds, A test was also

made

to determine thfe

maintenance over a prolonged period of the

The depth of water was 10 metres, and the depth of immersion was decided upon as one metre. After 6 hours it was found that there was no change in the depth of immersion, allowance being made for the rise of the tide. Upon the mine being dismantled it was found that there was no leakage into the firing mechanism. Another mine was similarly immersed for 23 hours at
depth of immersion.
a depth of 9 metres from the surface, and here also absolute watertightness was thoroughly established upon dismantling and examination of the interior.

Of equal importance is the design of suitable mechanism for launching or laying and mooring the mines in waterways, and to the devising of satisfactory mechanism Messrs. Vickers and Captain
Elia have devoted

much experimental

research.

FOREIGN POWERS.
United States.
In the course of a review of ordnance matters during 1911, EearAdmiral N. C. Twining, Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance, remarked that progress had been rather in the direction of improving and developing existing types than in any marked changes. There had been no revolution, and no upheaval seemed to bo indicated. The increasing efficiency of the submarine, the torpedo and the aeroplane.

UNITED STATER OIJDNANCE.

had caused naval
to the
officers

317

and ordnance authorities to look forward new demands to be made in matters both of ordnance and ship construction, but up to the present time the proposals had been merely tentative or The contest between the gun and the armour-plate was speculative. still going on, but the Chief of Ordnance thought the gun had now the balance of advantage, and still more powerful types of guns were contemplated. In the United States Navy the standard heavy gun is the 14-iii. of 45 calibres, and for torpedo defence a 5-in. of 51 calibres. Tlie following table shows the superiority of the modern guns over their predecessors. (The last gun given in the table is the army and coast fortress gun, and has been added to show how it differs from the naval gun. Its nitro-cellulose charge is 329 lb.)
time when these factors of warfare might cause

Ordnance.

Calibre.

318

TFIE
tube,

NAVAL ANNUAL.
The facility of the and the cost greatly reduced slightly conical and susceptible of
rifling again.

new

and then boring and

all

operation

is

in future to be increased,

guns with liners In this way the time required for re-lining a big gun will be reduced from 75 to 25 days. From other sources it appears that no appreciable results have been attained from experiments with powder and special banding of the shell, but some
easy removal.

by building

changes in the form and pitch of the

likelihood of increasing the
life

rifling are

said to promise a
to

of a

gun from 150

200 rounds.
is

The question

of bands is still under consideration.

first

There

in the

naval appropriations for the

for re-lining guns,

time this year a charge (125,000 dols.)

and

it

is

anticipated that an annual continuous

appropriation for this purpose will be necessary.

At

the present
dols.,

time the cost of a liner for the 12-in. gun

inserting
it

is

4000

and of

6500

dols.,

which

is

about 17 per cent, of the cost of a

new
Powder.

gun.
nitro-cellulose powder,
is still

The
powder,
climatic
qualities

which replaced the prismatic brown

for it that

the standard propellent in the United States Navy,

and Eear- Admiral Twining claims

or

when
it

not affected by
will
retain
its

other unfavourable

circumstances

and continue serviceable for from twelve to fifteen years. If deterioration should occur, warning is given by the physical appearance of the powder, so that spontaneous combustion or explosion is never to be apprehended, and it is extremely doubtful whether spontaneous combustion is possible unless the powder should be subjected to abnormally high temperatures. Eear- Admiral

Twining says that the powder is extremely satisfactory in stability, ballistic characteristics, and keeping qualities, and that there is no The propellent is constituted better smokeless powder in the world. The of cotton dissolved in nitric acid, and dried and colloided. material is then passed through a mechanical press and comes out in long strips and rods, which are cut into the required lengths. The form of grain used for large-calibre guns is multi-perforated, the perforations being longitudinal, so that the burning of the powder is constant and the gas pressure practically unchanged during the time in which the projectile is travelling from the breech to the muzzle. If powder should become deteriorated ballistically, it is reworked, The the process being analogous to the radouhage of the French.
grains are ground in water and the paste dried, and the material

worked much
Shells.

as in the case of

new powder.

AVith regard to the shell used in the United States

is

Navy

there

little

to report.

Eear- Admiral Twining says that the projectiles

are " being slowly but surely improved."

They

are all capped, with

AMERICAN GUN MOUNTINGS.

319

the exception of the 5-in., the body being of hard and tough forged
steel,

containing alloys of nickel, chrome, vanadium and other metals,

and it is in the composition and treatment of the steel that advances have been made towards giving hardness without brittleness. " These
points are, in the main, manufacturers' secrets, not disclosed even to

The problem of making a high-explosive armour and carrying a sufficient bursting to have been satisfactorily solved. The not yet charge appears carrying a large explosive charge, to proposal to employ a shell Great damage might detonate on contact, finds no favour officially. be done by the Isham shell, but the damage could not be comparable The Puritan trials to the eflects of a shell bursting inside armour.

Government

oflicials."

shell capable of penetrating

confirmed the

official

opinions previously held on this point.

With regard
turret system.

to the

mounting

of

guns in United States warships Gun

triple
j^gg

there has been strong objection to the introduction of the

It is true that it

would lead
is

to a reduction in the

weight of armour carried, but there

in the matter of

the danger of three guns being

put out of action instead of two, as well as of complications occurring

ammunition, turret machinery, concentrated weights, and other features. But, nevertheless, says Eear-Admiral Twining, the time " seems now to have arrived when the necessities of ship design and tactical considerations have forced the triple turret, and
interesting to note that Eussia, Austria, Italy, and the United
it

it is

States have all incorporated

is

in their latest battleship designs.

It

now

decided that United States battleships Nos. 36 and 37 (Nevada

and Oklahoma) will each carry the triple turrets as a part of their main armament. These turrets will embody certain new ideas in gun-mountings which have not yet been embodied in any foreign design." He adds that " for secondary gun-mountings compactness
and lightness are essential, but to attain them, without sacrificing the rigidity which is necessary for accurate firing, requires ingenuity." In this connection it is interesting to note that the Bethlehem
Steel

The!

Company have
turret

several

new

designs of
tliat

operated

gun-mountings, and
turrets,

their

electro-hydraulically hem works are busily Company,

satis-

engaged in turning out such

control of the various

which have given very

factory results in trials carried out to determine the flexibility of

gun and ammunition supply machinery installed well known, the electro-hydraulic installation consists of a constant speed and continuously running electric motor driving a variable delivery hydraulic pres.sure pump, which supplies oil under pressure to an hydraulic motor, which operates the gun machinery. This combination in itself is not new, and is used in American, Kussian, and Japanese turrets, and even on pedestal gunin the turrets.

As

is

320

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

mountings, but up to the present the weakest unit in the power

transmission scheme has been the hydraulic speed variator
the diurability of the variators has left very
itself,

and

much

to

be desired.

Two

causes have contributed to the unfavourable results referred

to, viz.,

the unequally distributed load on the large ball thrust-bearings and

the wearing of the valve face of the cylinder barrels and the face of the valve plate.

In some types of swash plate hydraulic transmission machines the cylinder barrels are rotary, and work on a fixed valve
plate, whilst in
rotates.

some proposed machines

it is

the valve plate which

As the valve ports have to be of a certain area to pass the requisite amount of pressure fluid, it is impossible to reduce the diameter of the valve faces as much as might be wished, and consequently the limit of rotary speed
about 400 r.p.m.
short.
it
;

is

reached in a 30-H.P. machine at

of^'he valve port faces
is

otherwise the

life

very

and heavy and cumbersome motor or a reasonable size of motor and gearing between the motor and the pump end of the
is

This

a very slow speed for the

modern

electric motor,

means

either a

hydraulic speed variator.

The Bethlehem Steel Company have therefore decided to use a machine which does not require any ball bearings at all, and which does not employ rotary valve faces, and consequently a 15-H.P. machine for the elevating gear of a heavy gun can be connected direct to a motor running at 1000 r.p.m., whilst a training speed variator of 30 H.P. can be run at 800 r.p.m. To control the speed and direction of rotation of the gun, turret and ammunition hoist, the Bethlehem Steel Company use a variable throw crank-pin of an ingenious construction which governs the amount of fluid sent to the hydraulic motor, and the throw of the crank-pin is altered by a small
hydraulic servo-motor.

This combination ensures that the exertion

is

Gun
tnals,

by means of the double hand-wheels described in the 1909 Naval Annual, it is easy to imagine that the control of a heavy turret causes no fatigue to the gun layers and trainers. The Bethlehem Steel Company are making large numbers of antitorpedo armaments for their own and other Governments of 4-in., 5-in., and 6-in. calibre. As typical of Bethlehem design in small mountings two photographs are reproduced on page 321 showing a 4-in. gun and mounting (side and breech end views) which have several interesting features. The gun is of 50-calibre length and of the " all-steel " design, using fixed ammunition with a long pointed shell of 31 lb. of nitro-cellulose powder, brass cartridge case and combination electric and percussion primer. The M.V. is just over 3000 f.s., and to illustrate the great range of this gun it will be only
on the part of the operator
is

very slight, and as the control

321

a--

Tg-

-^
i-iy.

II

iMM^iii

iiiiBii i<ii| ll ilJ *?ni-|iaiTIir"li"'llli^n f>^--<-'^-TT

'

Bethlehem

Gun (Rear

View).

Bethlehem

4-in.

Gln

(Siue Viev.j

"
;

322

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

necessary to mention that at 5 deg. elevation the average range for ten

rounds was 7970 yards, whilst twelve shots with 9 deg. 30 min. gave
a

mean range

of 10,768 yards.

These facts speak very highly for the

happy combination
ing

of gun, powder,

and shape of projectile. The mounton a pedestal

when used

in torpedo-boats or destroyers is fixed

having an unusually large

base, so as to reduce upward and downward deck stresses to a minimum. The recoil of the gun is absorbed by two brake cylinders below the gun, and these cylinders also The Bethlehem " Two Hand contain the running-out springs. elevating and training wheels are used, and there is also a twospeed change gear fitted to each mechanism, actuated by the foot The cross-connected sights are of pedals shown on the platforms. the Bethlehem Eock Bar type with eccentric adjustment for

range.*
San
firiDgs^

An
mental

account was given in the Naval Annual last year of the experifiring at the

San Mai'cos, but the following comment from the military point of view, published in the Journal of the United State, Artillery (July-August, 1911), is peculiarly interesting and deserves
to

be reproduced

Tor the coast artillery, the work on the San Marcos raises some rather disquieting questions. Heretofore, it has been generally conceded that for reasons inherent to the comparatively unstable gun platform offered by a ship, as well as her inability to determine ranges with great accuracy (both of which advantages are possessed to a high degree by the coast artillery), a man-of-war could not open an effective long range fire upon a sea-coast battery. As the old saying went, " A gun ashore is worth more than two afloat." This estimate of the situation is now, by some, questioned. Excepting the absence of a return fire, the firing of the New Hampshire on the San Marcos closely paralleled the conditions that would obtain between a ship and a lowsited direct-fire battery ashore, namely, the firing ship had a stationary target, comparatively quiet water to manoeuvre in, and selected her own range, which she varied at will. In the absence of definite experimental knowledge, the effect of such fire upon a battery's materiel and personnel is problematical. The utter lack of overhead cover is, bj' the Navy, considered a very weak feature of our style of emplacement. Naval officers express the belief that after the first salvo the emplacements would be swept with fragments of shell and splinters of concrete, enveloped in clouds of fumes from exploding shell and dust from the earthern parapets in front, and the gun carriages (especially those of the disappearing type) would be so clogged with debris On the other carried over from the parapet that they would soon cease to function. hand, the ship being in motion, continually clears herself from her own smoke. Furthermore, that all battery-commander and primary stations erected at, or in the immediate vicinity of, the battery would be speedily wrecked. Under such conditions they say it would be impossible for the battery to make any effective reply. They also point out that a single battleship of the latest type, with its broadside of ten or twelve 12-in. guns, outclasses the direct-fire armament of most of our forts and that a division of four such ships could bring to bear a fire far superior to any that could be brought against it (even if the shore batteries could reply). Regarding the fire from mortars, they admit this is a harder proposition, but are inclined to discredit the ability of mortars to hit a rapidly moving target, frequently changing speed and direction, at the long ranges now used. -They also claim that they would speedily "knock out" the various observing and plotting stations by which the mortars are directed, wherever they are visible and exposed, as at Fort Monroe and

many

other forts.

* In the photograph showing the side view of the gun, the projection from the breech, which is just seen in front of the breech block, is not i)art of the breech mechanism, but part of a bore telescope which had inadvertently been left in place.

SAN

:\IAK('()S

TIIIALS.

323

liear-Admiral Twining- considered the most striking lessons of

The fact that, at ranges of 10.000 and 12,000 yards, the New Hampshire could place her shots on any ]tortion of the ship at will, thus proving the accuracy of her spotting and pointing. 2 The tremendous havoc wrought in the San IMarcos hy
the firing to be:
1.

the passage or bursting of entering shell.

The Chief

of the

Ordnance Bureau's opinions on the torpedo

Tor'^

question are interesting.

He says

that while the torpedo continues to

be held in great favour as a weapon of under-water attack, it must be admitted that no navy has at present an adequate system of defence
against such attack
if efficiently

delivered.

Torpedo nets as carried by the vessels of some foreign navies are ineffective, since torpedoes have been designed which can cut, penetrate, or displace the nets. The searchlight is ineffective, since a torpedo may be successfully launched at a range beyond its reach. Gunfire is ineffective against an invisible target, and the Pickets and torpedo-i)oat can launch its weapon while still invisible to the gun. scouts are not thoroughly effective, since they may themselves be attacked and The practical torpedo of the present day may be disabled, or they may be eluded. a range of 10,000 yards at 27 knots speed effectively used at a range of 8000 yards The United States' Navy now has in is confidently expected in the near future.
;

will, beyond a doubt, fill these course of building two types conditions, and may exceed them. The reliability of the torpedo in the hands of the general service is, unfortunately, still questionable, and many failures and wild There is, however, nothing mechanically impossible in shots are to be expected. the conditions of the problem of making torpedoes reliable, and recent advances in this direction justify the hope that in the near future a thoroughly accurate longrange weapon will be produced.

of

torpedo which

Although there is no change to record in the character of the Armour armour employed in the Navy of the United States or of any other country, there is a marked advance in the methods of armourThe Krupp steel plates manufactured in the United making. States and tested in 1905, though they resisted penetration, showed
considerable flaking round the points of impact; while a plate of
last

year's

make, which has been

illustrated,

showed that

it

had

been attacked by four A.T. projectiles, of v/hich none had perforated, and that there was practically no flaking. To meet the increasing power of guns and the penetrative effect of shell, the American ships are now receiving thicker armour, and the Bureau of Ordnance has even had a plate made 18 in. thick,

which has been tested with a view to a possible future demand for armour of that thickness. Thin plates of greatly increased resisting power are now made for turret and conning tower tops with a nickel-chrome-vanadium alloy, specially treated, which gives very
satisfactory results.

Krupp armour

is

made

in

the United States by the Midvale,

Carnegie and Bethlehem Steel Companies.

The Krupps in Cermany Midvale Company on endeavoured patents, but American of certain alleged infringement of the ground
to restrict the operations of the

V 2

324
some
to

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

of the patents

were held by the District Court of Pennsylvania

be invalid and the others not to have been infringed, and the

was upheld successively by the Circuit Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, to which the action was carried. Great gratification was caused by the success of the Carnegie Steel Company in securing the contract for the supply to Italy of 4600 tons of armour plating which, for reasons not fully explained, the Terni Company were unable to deliver. The contract price was a little more than 85 per ton, while the French Schneider group is stated to have asked 94, Messrs. Cammell Laird 107, and Messrs. Krupp 108. The Bethlehem Company has been very successful in turning out armour-plate, and they have now their works busy with American and European orders. Two of these plates are illustrated. They were respectively of 12-in. thickness, reducing to 5 in. and to 6 in., in each case with 6-in, oak backing and f-in. skin plating, and the angle of fire
decision

was normal. The lower

12-in. to 5-in. plate

was tested

at Indian

Head

in the

early part of October last, in the presence of the Chilean Commission.

The plate was attacked by six 12-in. capped a.p. projectiles and one The first five projectiles, being 12-in. uncapped a.p. projectile.
capped, were
fired'

at striking velocities averaging

10*8

f.s.

higher

than the prescribed velocity (1514 f.s.), and the maximum .penetration, as will be noted from the accompanying reports, was 4^^ in.

In the case of the sixth shot, an uncapped 12-in. a.p. projectile, brought to 870 lb. weight, was used, with the idea of assimilating as nearly as possible the conditions under wklch armour ballistic This shot was fired with a tests are generally conducted in 'Europe. striking velocity of 1660 f.s., and the estimated" penetration was 3 in.

The seventh
velocity.

shot, using a 12-in.

f.s.,

capped
or 279

a.p. projectile,

was

fired

with

a striking velocity of 1793

f.s.

higher than the prescribed

.

In the case of this shot the penetration

but as the plate was only 12-in. thick,

the oak backing.
-

measured 15 in., a cone must have been pushed

did* nojL-

out of the back of the plate as the projectile

penetrate into
.

>

The upper plate represents a group of 6-in. armour, and was attacked by three 6-in. capped a.p. projectiles, weighing 105 lb.
each, with velocities averaging 1*6
f.s.

higher than the prescribed

tha't

velocity (1648

f.s.).

It-appears from the report and photograph

in.

the

maximum

penetration effected was from 1^ to 2

It

may

be

noted that the lines which appear to the right of the photograph and seem to be hair cracks in the plate, are only defects in the original
photograpli from which the one for
tlie

illustration

was copied.

325

Bethlehem Plate, No.

123281

Bl Fl.

82(1

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Test of Plate. United States Naval Proving Ground Indian Head, MD.
Maker, Bethlehem Steel Co.

Lower

Plate.

August 30, 1911. Class " A," thickness 5 in. to 12 in. Skin Plate ^ in. Angle attack
normal.
of

Number

Thickness Backing 6-in. Oak of Securing Bolts G.

Impacts.
1
.

Number

Armour Bolts

32.

Gun No. and

Rounds

calibre

12-in., .85-9

fired to date

Projectile used and

make
.

Length of projectile Diam. of bourrelet Diam. of body Diam. of band Diam. of lip Weight of projectik' Type of band used
.

Plight (by screen) Powder used Charge, pounds Striking velocity

.

Dimensions of impact Dimensions flaking Distance from top Distance from left
.

From
Dish

nearest
.

impa ;t

Penetration Cracks
.

FRENCH GUNS.
Tkst of Plate.

327

UniTED States Naval Pkoving Ground.

Indian Head, IMD.

November
Maker, Bethlehem Steel Co.
Class "A," thickness 6

15, 1911.

in.

Upper Plate

328

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Pro-

Although these shells may appear relatively light, they are much more powerful than the 960-lb. 12-in. shells, carrying 26*6 lb. of melinite, with which the Dantons are provided. The new ships will have magazine capacity for 1000 of the 13'4-in. shells, as well as for 6950 shells for the 5*5-in. guns. These latter projectiles will weigh 67 2 lb., and will contain about 2^ lb. of melinite. In the summer of last year at Gavres there were satisfactory trials of the ohus alounli of the 12-in. gun in comparison or competition with projectiles of similar character made abroad. The result was entirely favourable to the national industry. The plate successfully attacked was of Krupp steel, 9*4-in. thick, and so convincing was the result as to the quality and effect of the shell that many persons thought the 12-in. gun was good enough. But the fact that the shell had perforated a plate of the thickness mentioned was, of comse, no proof, as was soon pointed out, that the same

projectile

would be equally

efficient against 12-in. or heavier plating.

As

is

shown above,

the authorities have not been

moved by

successful
is

trials of

the 12 in. to be content with that calibre.

as
" P,"

There

new

shell

known

said

to

have been tried in 9*4-in. calibre

adapted for two fuses, one to detonate
to

against the old Neptune.

It is

on striking thin plating and the other intended

perforating thick armour.
Gunnery.

operate after

Although the French Navy has made great

before the desired level
criticisms in France,
is

strides towards higher

efficiency in the matter of gunnery, there is still

much

to be

done

attained.

There have been some adverse

Certainly the practice

which have been reproduced in Germany, and

off

have not given a very pleasant impression.

of the

Hyeres Islands last October had encouraging features. The target was fixed, but hits up to 57 per cent, were obtained at ranges which had been increased by order of M. Delcasse from about 7000 metres to over 8000 metres
the

Second and Third Squadrons

The Justice nearly beat her record of 50 per and next came the Gaulois, Charlemagne, Democratic and Jaureguiberry. The best results were attained by
(8722
yards).
cent, of hits last year,

Much of the credit for inducing keener interest due to Admiral Germinet. The returns of the whole year, however, do not show that the interest is fully maintained, and some observers do not consider the work entirely satisfactory. In Possibly the authorities are themselves to blame in the matter.
the Brest Squadron.
in

gunnery

is

what are known

to

as the tirs d'honneur, being competitive exercises,

the results are sent to the Ministry in Paris, and are there subjected

a 'process of standardisation, involving calculations which are

said to

remove the

results from proper direct i-elation to the actual

FRENCH ARMOUR.
firing.

329
allowed to elapse
l^efore
tliat

Moreover, a considerable time

it

is

the reports are published, so that

is

perhaps not surprising

some

of the interest
is

and keenness evaporate.

be said about the armour-plate question in Armour.
is

There
France.

very

little to

probability
of

as to what is being done, and the upon the old lines, with the production somewhat thicker armour. The national factories were regarded
is

Xot much

known
is

that progress

with particular favour during a Parliamentary debate on the relative

merits of Government and private establishments.

The

latter

were

said to be giving large dividends to their shareholders at the cost of

the State, and though there was some misunderstanding in this point,

Government establishments are doing The national armour-plate factory at work economically. Guerigny was said to produce plating at a price from 40 t(j 50 per cent, under the prices of private works. It was also asserted that at Guerigny light and deck plating was being turned out at
there can be no doubt that the
their

80 per cent,
sources.

less

than the cost

the

it

could be procured at from other

is

Accordingly,
is

Guerigny factory
for

to

be enlarged,

with new plant, and

expected to produce one-fifth of the armour

the
ships
to

which

will

be

required
in this

be built under the

new Naval Law,

country.

way

affecting a considerable saving to the

The catastrophe by which the battleship Liberte was destroyed The

on September
Chapter
II.

25, in the

harbour of Toulon, has been described in

officers,

committee of naval

under the presidency of Eear-

Admiral Gaschard, was appointed to inquire into the whole of the circumstances, and to report on the subject. The evidence of survivors and observers was taken in order to reconstruct the sequence
of events, determine the causes of the catastrophe, and, if possible,

The inquiry was exhaustive, and the was dated October 21, on board the Justice, being signed by the liear-Admiral and the members of the committee. Captains Ytier and Schwerer, Commander Gilly, Chief Engineer of Naval
to assign the responsibilities.

report

Artillery Breuilh,

and Lieutenants de liothiacob and Le Do.

it

It

was

transmitted to the Minister by Yice-Admiral Bellue, commanding-inchief,

with the comment that

did not deal explicitly with the

it

question of responsibility, that

relative to the preservation of

showed that

all

the regulations

powders on board had been observed,

and that the internal service of police and guard had been executed
according to regulations on the night preceding the catastrophe.
these conditions, in

"In

my

opinion, no res[)onsibility can be sought on

board."

330

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

The report
(1) (2)

of the

committee was as follows

That there was not any trace of malevolence That the hypothesis of a fire breaking out in the neighbourhood of the 7*t)-in, magazines on the starboard side or in
;

the magazines themselves was disproved

(3)

That the catastrophe was due to the ignition of a cartridge of powder in one of the two forward starboard magazines, and nearly certainly in the upper magazine, in which was stored a single lot of powder known as B.M. 13, A.M. 8, 2-06 P.B.
(the second lot of

powder, amylic alcohol, of 1906 from

Pont de

Buis).

In employing the expression "spontaneous ignition" (inflammation siwntanee)

the committee did not altogether exclude the con-

sideration of the intervention of

some foreign body

as a possible

agent of

fire,

though regarding
fine,

this as highly improbable,

and having

relation merely to packing materials.

the distinction too

cases.

Most of the members thought because ammunition was received in sealed

They exchanged views as to possible improvements in the system of storage and the preservation of powder on board, as also concerning proper assurance of security against fire and malevolence and they thought that some improvements for these purposes, not It was calling for any profound changes, might be introduced. necessary to reduce the age of the powder kept on board ships of
;

war, foreign nations having preceded France in this matter.

" It is

but too clearly proved by accidents and catastrophes in the French

Navy, and by the

loss

abroad of the Maine, Mikasa, and Matsushima,

to take account of the

most notorious incidents only, that

applied

tests of

purely scientific character,

insufficient."

up

to

the

present

time,

are

Before the report was published, instructions had been issued, on

the advice of the committee, that no powder of a greater age than four
years should be kept on board the ships, and that the order should

become effective progressively as ammunition of greater age could be disembarked and replaced. Admiral Bellue anticipated the order by discharging all powder received before 1902 from his ships, as All the B.M, 13 powder well as all supplies for training purposes. belonging to the lots which were stored in the 7'6-in. magazines of the Liberte were ordered by the Minister to be immediately disembarked from the ships and to be returned to the Ordnance
Department.

These were

lots 1-07 P.B.

(Pont de Buis), 2-06 P.B,,

7'OG P.B., and 9-06 P.B., and they were to be subjected to a rigorous

examination hrin par hrin.

As

a result of this examination and

FRENCH rOWDEHS.

331

inquiry large quantities of the incriminated powder were taken out

to sea

and sunk
of this

in deep water.

Some

powder which was regarded

as dangerous

had been

refreshed {radoiibee on remalaxee) by treating with alcohol or ether, or

mixing witli other powders. Upon the manner in which the powders have been treated and mixed a good deal has been said, and light was thrown upon the situation by an embittered quarrel which arose between M. Maissin, Director, since December, 1906, of the Pont de Buis Powder Factory, and his predecessor, j\I. Louppe, who had taken over the management of the Moulin Blanc Factory which M. ]\Iaissin had vacated.* A joint Naval and Military Committee was appointed in October to investigate the situation farther, and some other inquiries were made. It was shown that singular processes of mixing powder had prevailed both at Sevran-Livry and Pont de Buis, and tliat while M. Maissin reproached his predecessor, M. Louppe, at the

One lot of the same dangerous methods continued. powder delivered from Sevran-Livry in 1909 contained a mixture of powder of 1908, 1906, and probably 1904 and still earlier dates. At Pont de Buis very hazardous methods were adopted. There was a lot of powder of 1908, which contained a large proportion of poudre radouhee of 1901, composed of powder manufactured several years earlier, so that the 1908 powder really contained a proportion of powder made in 1896, or even 1895. This arrangement became possible under an instruction of 1907, which reversed orders of 1901, the view being taken that the age of the powder did not affect the
latter place,

matter.

"

L'age n'entre pour rien en ligne de compte."

The

result of the various enquiries

and reports has been the

ships.
j\I.

enforcing of a

new

organisation at the factories, and the adoption of

an age system
in
liis
:

for the retention of

powder on board
for 1912,

Painle\'e,

re])ort

on the Estimates

advocated the following

differs

rules

(1)

The mixing

of powders

whose age

more than three

(2) All processes described under the terms reinalaxage and radottbaye to be interdicted. (3) A rule of manufacture to be establi.shed conformable to indications given by the Senate
to be forbidden.

months

(4)

Committee of Inquiry and the Inter-Parliamentary Committee. The department of powders to be managed largely by chemists possessing tlie diploma of the great chemistry schools, while the
laboratory education
of the

pupils

of the

polytechnic school

is

There should be handed over to the Navy one of the existing gun-cotton factories and two of the powder factories, and
widened.
(5)

the

Navy

to

liave

its

own

expert authorities.

(6) Establish

"genealogy" of the existing powders, disembark those wliich are

The I6na

disaster occurred

ou March

VI, 1907.

332
old,

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

and keep them in isolated places, instead of sinking them in (7) Apply, at least provisionally, an age limit of six years four years aboard, and two years in magazines on shore. (8) Establish a permanent control of the Navy over the manufacture of its own poM^Iers. (9) Do not keep ammunition in watertight compartments. (10) Keep the temperature of magazines low and constant, banish all paint- work and other inflammable material, perfect the flooding arrangements of magazines, increase the power and pressure of water for the purpose, and make the arrangements
deep water.

automatic.
Magazine
nooding.

Much
.

of the Liberte, but the

has been said regarding o o the failure to flood the magazines o Naval Committee of Inquiry attributed no
^

blame to anyone on this head. The flames spread with great rapidity and violence, and the powder gases made the air incapable of being breathed. Men fled where they could, spreading panic, and many jumped overboard. The sick bay was invaded by flames, and the terror of the situation may be realised by the ghastly picture con" Quelques matelots jured up by a single sentence of the report. etaient tellemeut brules que le corps de I'un d'eux ressemblait a une poupee de cire en train de fondre." When the flames died down, dense smoke from burning linoleum, hammocks, and other material

made it impossible to see. Lieutenant Garnier, the senior ofticer, took command of the operations, endeavouring to quell panic by sounding general quarters. Engineer Lestin informed him that it was impossible to

approach the forward

j)art of

the ship on the lower deck, and

he then gave orders to flood the forward magazines.

sible, however, to execute the order owing to the

heat,

and

at the

very

moment

of

It was impossmoke and intense the explosions several brave young

and men were endeavouring to operate the gear for flooding It is doubtful if the forward magazines the magazines amidships. could have been flooded even if the sluices had been opened, in view
officers

of the arrangements that existed.

Water
is

will not penetrate a closed

compartment where a great gas pressure

fact that the controlling gear

developed

the pipes and

;

fire and the was near the magazines made it imposSuch apparatus and appliances might be sible to operate them. fire near the magazines, but they were found useless useful in case of when the fire was in the magazine itself. These facts have been brought home to French naval constructors, and in the new ships tliere will be a system of magazine flooding by water under pressure, capable of being operated from one or more distant stations.

valves were almost at once put out of action by the

GERMANY.
Germany,

333

Little that is exhaustive or conclusive can be said of progress in

Ordnance.

ordnance matters in Germany, owing

observed in regard to everything that

to the secrecy
is

which

is

now

new.
of

The lack

of definite

information has led to

speculations,

the

publication

many

surmises

and

"

Xauticus "

itself regrets the lack of

and knowledge in

regard to

many

naval things.

The substitution

of the 12-in.

gun

for

the 11-in, began with the Helgoland class, and in the latest class
afloat,

the Kaisers, there are only ten of these weapons instead of

It

twelve, disposed generally as in the plan of the Hercules.

may

be assumed with confidence that a larger gun will be mounted in the

later ships,

and two new guns, each of them designed in three calibre and 50, have appeared this year for the first time in These are the 34 '3 cm. the Krupp tables of ship and coast guns. (13-5G-in.)and the 38 cm. (14'96-in.). A 35*5 cm. (14-in.) gun was
lengths, 40, 45

in the tables last year, and

may

possibly precede the 14*96-in. in

introduction to the
"

fleet.

The Germans have not adopted the

tance.
at

larger calibre without reluc-

Xauticus

" this year

remarks that the necessity of engaging

fire.

extreme distances requires the larger gun, and enforces the greater

importance of broadside than of bow and stern

increase the effective
calibre,
"
fire

The

effort to

of individual rounds leads to increase of

and with
"

it

to

greater penetration and

increase
of

explosive power.

Xauticus

observes
fire,

that

calibre

is

bound up with

reduced rate of

the

diminished "life" of guns, the smaller

number

and the impossibility of properly The erosion of guns is occupying more and more attention in Germany, and with the abandonment of the 11-in. gun Messrs. Krupp seem to have ceased to make known the actual " life " of their guns, as in the endurance tables which were formerly given in the Naval Annual. These related to the surprising number of rounds fired on the trial ground by an 11 -in. gun, from which it appeared that the built-up tube and jacket typo made at Kssen had a marked preponderance in this matter over tlu> Britisli 12-in. wire-wound gun. It appears to be stated in the
of rounds carried or fired,

training effective reserves.

German naval

service

that

the

new

12-in.

has 30 per cent, less

and the same feature must appear still more markedly in the larger types. Although the facts are wanting, it appears to be known that the life of the Crerman 14-in. gun is
11-in.,

endurance than the

equivalent to the firing of 80 or 90 rounds.

Moreover, German

guns are heavier calibre

re-tubing
is

for

calibre

than British guns, and the

not so easy as in the case of wirQ-wouijd guns.

Thd

534

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

steel
is

Krupp gim

surpassed, but the problem of erosion

undoubtedly of a quality not likely to be is becoming of greater and

In the Naval Annual
14-in.,

greater importance with every increase in calibre and proportionate

increase of gas pressure.
last

year details

were given of the new

table:

and some

details

are

appended

of

the two later guns, which will also be found in the

Krupp ordnance

Armour.

GERMANY
the bases of
all

ITALY.

335
Transverse armoured

the turrets are \se\\ protected.

all

bulkheads are general, and

in

the secondar}'- guns are well protected

armoured barbettes.
Great attention
is

dcNOted to the subject of underwater protection

alongside the

in

view of the danger of mines and the increased range of the

is

torpedo, which

placing

it

gun

as a

means

of attack

in long-range engagements.

"

Nauticus " remarks

that, unfortunately,

just

when

the development of underwater protection was beginning

to proceed

upon systematic

lines, secrecy

began to be observed in

all

the great navies regarding these matters, and nowhere has the secrecy

been more evident than in Germany.

just at the
interest

Consequently, says " Nauticus,"

protection
is

moment when underwater

is

increasing

in

we

are placed in the disagreeable position of being dependent

on information which

scanty and often unreliable.

still,

The Germans

long held, and perhaps do

of doors

to the practice of

keeping the main

bulkheads without doors, as the only safeguard against the possibility

In Germany critical moment. and tank experiments have been made by Dr. Bischel, Engineer Dr. Blochmann, and Naval Constructor Neubeck, but no great guidance has been obtained in this way. The French have experimented with armoured caissons representing the Henri IV. and IMirabeau, the Italians with the Morosini, and the Americans with the Florida and the Puritan, but the result of these and other trials is not definitely known. From the warm approval given to the French plan of building a longitudinal bulkhead over the greater part of the ship's length at some distance from the side, it may be inferred that this system has been adopted in Germany also. The great increase of beam which has become necessary in order to prevent increase of draught favours this, system of protection. Longitudinal bulkhead protection is not, however, directly concerned witli armour protection. It is in many ways unfortunate ihat we cannot know what is being done in the matter of armour for lerman ships of war. Plates representing e\'ery class of armour are constantly under trial at the Krupp firing grounds, but no details
being
left

open at the

theoretical considerations

are allowed to transpire.

Italy.

The
in

object of the

group of naval constructors, engineers and

is

finauciers

who

control or influence the productive activities of Italy

to

the

matters of ordnance and armour

make

the country

That they have not yet entirely succeeded is shown by the fact that the tender for 4100 tons of armour for the new ship.:; was thrown open to international

independent of foreign sources of supply.

336
conjpetitioD,

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

and that the contract was awarded
to the Carnegie Steel
is

Company
steel

at the price of

125 per

ton.

This

a naatter which

is

referred to below.

works

The combination

consists chiefly of the Terni

^Alti

Forni-Acciaierie di Terni

and

the Vickers Terni

ordnance factory at Spezia, with the shipbuilding and engineering

establishments of the Orlando and Odero firms at Genoa.
tion with the
is

Armstrong gun-factory

at Pozzuoli

hoped that it will be possible complete in every particular.

Armour.

to build,

In associaand other works it arm and equip warships

The initiative in the making of armour-plate in Italy came from Count Cavour, who in 1862 urged the national industries to utilise the excellent iron mines of the Valtrompia, but at the time the economic situation was not propitious, and it was not until Benedetto Brin took an energetic part in financial reconstruction that the Terni steel works were founded in 1884, the engineering chief being Signer V. S. Breda. Since that time the establishments have grown very Power is obtained from the greatly in resources and capacity.
famous Cascata della Nera, but the company has also important Last year new armour-plate works lignite coal mines at Spoleto. were set in operation, as well as a new Martin steel plant, and at the meeting of the company in Eome, presided over by Signer Orlando, on March 26th, it was claimed that the plant in the new plate works was the most powerful in Europe, and that, in its utilisation of hydro-electric power and the excellence of its plant, it is on the highest level. The resources were stated to be of such an elastic character that the country could have all the ai-mour-plate it would

and the shipbuilding industry be placed in a position to The capacity for the foreign navies. production of Krupp armour-plating is returned as more than 12,000 tons per annum, as well as of the largest forgings for guns
require,

undertake large work for

for the use of the

Vickers-Terui factory.
of

In view of these great resources the award

remarkable,

the contract for a

large quantity of armour-plating to the Carnegie

Company seems
of

and

is

not easy to

explain.
of

The possible lack

by the statement above. There can only remain the questions of time and price. It is pretty well known that there has not always been a proper co-ordination of means to ends in the development of the Italian Navy. Essential parts of ships, and perhaps more especially armour, have not always
productive capacity seems disposed

been ordered in due time to enable them to be supplied when they were required, with the result that delay has occurred in the completion of ships, and it has been suggested that such a situation
of affairs
resources.

may have

caused a hasty appeal to be made to foreign Whether this was really the case has not been disclosed.

ITALIAN ORDNANCE WORKS.

AVith regard to the question of price,
that the Carnegie
it

337

is

thought possible in Italy

to secure the order at a

Company may have chosen

profit,

very narrow margin of

price
is

and
for

it

has been asked whether this

not less than

is

actually being paid by the United States

Government been a rumour that the

unwillingness to
the nature of a " ring."

for the armour

American ships. There has also Italian Government desired to intimate its be dominated in the matter of price by anything in
it is

These are matters into which

there seems to be no doubt that

unnecessary to enter here,

liut

by

this time the steel resources arc

such that there need be no appeal to foreign resources for anything

relating
or, indeed, for any other naval and other varieties of the metal are turned out in large quantities by the Terni establishments, which At the Turin this year have entered upon a larger development. Exhibition the company showed an armour-plate 13 ft. wide and nearly 50 ft. long, weighing about 24 tons, which had to be cut into

to

armour, armament,

requirement.

Krupp

steel

sections for the purpose of railway transport, as well as a forged

12-in.

"un tube over 50 ft. in length. The Yickers-Terni ordnance works

at

Spezia are in the most

intimate relations with the Terni steel works.

As has been

stated,

Vickers'^'-

the principal reason for which these magnificent works were erected

was

to

complete in Italy the means of satisfying, in conjunction

at Pozzuoli, the

with the Armstrong works

requirements of Govern-

ment and
materials.

private yards, in all that relates to

gun and armament

technical

The founders
of Messrs.

of the Vickers-Terni were Messrs. Orlando

di

and Odero with the Acciaierie

financial aid

Terni and the

and
are

Vickers.

The Spezia works, however,

hills

entirely Italian,
fortified

and

for the sake of safety

have been built near the

Gulf of Spezia, in a position in a fold of the

which

cannot be attacked, and thus work can proceed even during time of war without any protection from the Navy.

The area of the works, e.xcludiug the ground put aside for a workmen's village, covers a space of 150,000 square metres. The workshops are of the most up-to-date and perfected type, and the machinery is of the most modern kind. Travelling cranes cajiable of lifting 100 tons are placed in the workshops for the construction of big guns and barbettes, for which four huge pits, 40 ft. in diameter and 60 ft. deep, have been prepared, for the comi)l<'tim, adaptation and test of naval mountings. Tlie workshop for the building uji of the l)ig guns is said to bo
the largest in Europe.
It is ec^uipped

with an electric travelling

deep,
so

crane capable of lifting 100 tons, which works at a height of nearly

100

ft.

from the grounl,

with

pit

(JO

It.

that
z

it

is

338

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

339

VlCKKH.T-TlJlM

GUXJ-Ti.i.N

I'lU-SS.

340

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

in.

possible to construct guns even larger than 16

of length, all the

and of 50

calibres

machine

tools being

on this
in
to
its

scale.

steel

The strength of Yickers-Terni lies works, which have undertaken

alliance with the Terni

all

furnish

forgings

pieces of cast-steel required for the construction of the guns

and and

mountings.
their

Thus co-ordinating work according

steel

to

modern methods,
space

the Vickers-Terni ordnance establishments liave not required to have

own

works,

for

which,

however,

on their

ground had been

material,

set aside.

The works

at Terni have been fitted

with great hydraulic presses, plant for tempering and treating the

and large lathes

for the

work on the tubes and jackets

for

the bigger guns.

The association of these two firms constitutes such a powerful and complete organisation tliat it may certainly be anticipated that it will be possible in Italy, between the works at Pozzuoli and those
at Spezia, to turn out the best type of guns, like those of the firms of

Armstrong and Vickers. The Spezia works are also fitted with the plant for making field and siege artillery, and are now executing important orders for the Army, besides the armament of the new Italian Dreadnoughts.

When

the

King

of Italy recently paid a visit of inspection to the

works, His Majesty expressed his high satisfaction at the manner in

which these great works had been

within a very short space of time.

built

and supplied with plant

is

Hand
Erosion,

in

hand with the production

of guns, there

visible in

Italy an increasing

anxiety witli reference to the

" life "

of these

weapons, and the possibility of reducing the erosive

the

effects

which are

enemy

of that " life."

An

important study of this question,

from the pen of Captain Bravetta, recently appeared in the Eivista

di Artiglieria
c Genio, and seemed to embody the conclusions at which Italian authorities on ordnance have arrived. Some chemical experts have regarded it as an error to strive for high calorific effects \\ith low pressures, and have urged tliat the true object Captain should be to attain great results with low temjieratures.

Bravetta says

there

may

be two ways of reducing temperature.

There

may

be the possibility of introducing some substance which

will operate as a refrigerator, or there

may

be a reduction in the
that

proportion of uitro-glycerine.
practical

He

considers

these

may

be

methods,

while the abandonment of the

uitro-glycerine

compound seems,
too
it

at least at present, impracticable.

There would be
If

many

difficulties in

adopting a nitro-ammonium compound.

were possible
to

to

arrive at a less erosive material of that kind,-

insensible

humidity,

which

seems

unattainable,

it

would be

necessary to go to a pressure of 3500 to 4000 atmospheres, which

ITALY
would be equivalent
altogether.
vaseline, will render
to

GUN

EROSION.
the

341
of

ordering

provision

new ordnance
it

Carbon, or substances rich in carbon, such as dense

powder

less sensilde to heat

and make

more

stable; but there

is

the disadvantage that such powders are apt to

produce return flames, which

may

be the cause of disaster.

It has

therefore been proposed to introduce

some substance

rich in o.xygen,

such as nitrate of barium, in the jiroportion of 10 per cent, of the

total weight
to
;

but the effect

is

to increase the production of

smoke,

add

to the weiglit of the charge,

and

to leave residual products

It

in

the tube, besides other undesirable consequences.

has been

proposed also to vary proportions and introduce other substances with

tlie

object of removing these defects, but appai'cntly without great

results.

Dinitro-glycerine, besides being less sensitive to shocks,

may
It

liave over nitro-glycerine the

advantage of being more stable, produceffects.

ing

little

smoke, and having somewhat smaller erosive

Bravetta
of

may

be a q^ind mediuiit between nitro-glycerine and nitro-cellulose.

is

But Captain
cellulo.se,

opinion

that

gelatinized

nitro-

excluding nitro-glycerine, though theoretically less erosive,

has in practice given unsatisfactory results.

disadvantages, and
are very unstable,
tliey

He

points out other

says

that
l)e

powders with a nitro-cellulose base

kept in hermetically-sealed cases
if

and must
the

are

to

retain

volatile elements

which give them

therefore

their

ballistic

value.

C^aptain Bravetta does not

give

to

the

Italian naval service

much hope

of prolonging the "life" of the

guns, especially those of large calibre, which have a constitutional

defect that begins to reveal itself from the very
first

round

fired,

and
best

condemns

tlie

gun

to ultimate failure unless re-tubed.

The

policy, therefore, he says, is to

have a large reserve of guns, and to

establish the best system of keeping

resources for rapid re-tubing or otherwise

of the
erosive
is

them efficient by providing making good the ravages

propellents.

In short, the remedy, in his view

is

which, there

reason to believe,

that of the Italian

Navy

the
is

remedy

is

not chemical but mechanical.

He

has shown the gravity of the situation by giving tables which

life "

prove that the 4.j-calibre 12-in., firing one round a minute, which
a minimum, perhaps, in a hot action, and having a "
50-calibre

of 100

rounds, will be useless after an hour and forty minutes, while the

gun

will

be exliausted after one hour and twenty-six

minutes,

its " life "

being reckoned as equal to 86 rounds.

As

to the

13'5-in., with a "life" of

80 rounds, and

firing

at

intervals

of

would last one hour and forty-seven minutes. He pursues this method of calculation into the larger calibres, which are not yet afloat, and does not give an encouraging picture of the vitality of these weapons in a Iiard-fought engagement.
eighty seconds,
it

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362

CONVERSION OF MEASURES.

163

Table Relating to Conversion of Measures.

Length.

364

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

PRESSURE.
JlKXr.IC

TO English.

English to Metric.

Atmospheric
TO English.

English to Atjiofpheric.

I.

PART
STATISTICS, OFFICIAL

IV.

STATEMENTS AND

PAPERS.

366

THE NAVAL ANNUAL

CO
<J

C-: 11
1

>

-<

o^
r-i

-1-3

s:3

on
I

3G7

First Lord's

Statement explanatory of
Estimates, 1912-13.

Navy

These Estimates have been framed on the assumption that the existing programmes of other naval Powers will not be increased.
In
the

event

of such

increases,

it

will be

necessary to

present

supplementary Estimates, both for men and money. The E.>timates for 1912-13 amount to 44,085,400, as compared
with 44,392, nOO,
for the

current year.

The principal increases occur under the heads of Pay of Personnel (Vote I.), N'aval Armaments (Vote IX.), and Works (Vote X.). The numbers required for manning the Fleet are 2000 more than
Avere
is

asked

for in the

Estimates for the current year.

This increase

due mainly

to the

requirements of

new

ships

now

being placed in

commission and under construction. The increase of 115,500 in Vote I. is due chiefly to the pay required for the additional xicrsonnel.

The increase in the armaments vote ments of new construction.

is

mainly due

to the require-

Vote X. shows an increase of 449,700. The important new woiks at liosytli and Portsmouth liave reached a stage of development at which the contractors must earn very large sums if they are to complete the works within the contract time. No new works of The large great magnitude are proposed for the coming year. increase in expense is solely due to the maturing of the definitely
contracted obligations of the State.
loans under Xaval

The annuity in repayinent Works Acts remains at the same total as

of
in

1911-12, and the annual addition of this charge of 1,322,000 should

not be overlooked in comparing British Xaval Estimates with those
of foreign countries.
Increases under Votes XII., XIII., XIV., and

XV.
and

are mainly

nutomatic, the non-effective charge l)eing increased by 95,000.

The

shipljuilding vote (\'ote 8, Sections

l.,

II.,

III.)

shows
I:',

a decrea.se of 1,230,000, the expenditure falling upon 1912

respect of old

iu

programmes being less than the corresponding eliarges The diminution upon the heail of construction is largidy in 1911-12. neutralised by the growing cost and numbers of the j^crsonncl, by the rise in prices, by the greater quantities of fuel re<piired by the increasing horsc-])Ower of warshii)S, by the growing size and number

368
of the

THE NAYAL ANNUAL.

guDS carried by warships, as well
as

by the heavy charges in

respect of riosyth.
in future years.

Most

of these tendencies will be fully operative

Xew
for

construction will cost lo,971,527, as against 15,003,877

1911-12.

Of

this

amount 12,067,727

will

be spent on the

continuation of work on the ships already under construction, and

1,903,800 for beginning work on ships of the

new programme,

which

is

composed

as follows

4 large armoured
20 destroyers,
together with a

ships,

8 light armoured cruisers,

number

of submarines
is

and subsidiary

craft.

The
to

total cost of the

new programme new

12,474,400, as compared
of the

with 13,200,000 in 1911-12.

be undertaken in the

The proportion

new programme
This

financial year is larger than usual.

will enable the whole of the torpedo-boat destroyers to be once,

begun at

and will incidentally relieve to some extent future liabilities. my duty to record the retirement of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur Wilson from the active list of the Navy, and the regret with which the close of his long, eminent, and singleminded servdce is viewed by all who have had the honour to serve with him or under him.
It is in conclusion

I attach the usual statement of

work done by the department

during the past year, together with a reprint of the

War

Staff

Memorandum, which was published

Admiralty,

in January last.

AViNSTON SpENCEK-ChuRCHILL.
1912.

March

4,

FIRST lord's statement.

369

SHIPBUILDING.
Between April
will
1, 1911, and March 31, 1912, the following ships have been completed and become available for service
:

4 Armoured Ships (Hercules, Orion, Monarch, Colossus). 4 Protected Cruisers (Dartmouth, Weymouth, Yarmouth,
Falmouth).
2

Unarmoured Cruisers (Blonde,

Active),

20 Destroyers (Nautilus, Acheron, Archer, Brisk, Ferret,

Defender, Minstrel, Forester, Druid, Nereide,
Jackal,

Hind,

Nymphe,
(D
3,

Sandfly, Lapwing, Euby, Fury, Tigress,

Sheldrake, Ariel).
5 Submarines

D 4, D 5, D 7, D 8).
:

Miscellaneous (Adamant, Watchful, Esther, Daisy).

On

April

1,

1912, there will be under construction

10 Battleships.
6 Battle-cruisers (including one each for the of Australia

Commonwealth
Zealand).
for the

and the Dominion of

New

8 Second-Class Protected Cruisers (including two

Commonwealth of Australia). Unarmoured Cruisers.

31 Torpedo-Boat Destroyers.
15 Submarines (including two for the Commonwealth of
Australia).

2 Elver Gunboats.

New

Construction.

The Hercules and Colossus have been completed and commissioned. The Orion class is nearing completion the Orion herself has The Monarch has completed been completed and commissioned. her ordinary programme of steam trials, and is now preparing for The Thunderer is now undergoing trials. final trials for acceptance.
;

The Conqueror will be ready for trials early in next financial year. The Kin" Georse V. and Centurion, which were laid down in January last year at Portsmouth and Devonport respectively, have
been launched. Substantial progress has been made on both sliips, and it is hoped that they will be completed within a period of two Progress has also been made years from the date of laying down.
with the Ajax and Audacious, which have been laid down at Greenock (Messrs. Scott's) and Tranmere (Messrs. Camniull L'lird) respectively.
2 B

370

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Of the four
battleships provided for in the

1911-12 programme,

two, the Iron

Duke and

the Marlborough, have been laid

down

at

Portsmouth and Devonport respectively, and two, the Delhi and the Benbow, have been provisionally ordered from ]\Iessrs. Vickers and
Messrs. Beardmore.

Zealand and Australia, which are being built for the New Zealand and Australian Governments respectively, were launched in

The

New

July and October

last.

Of the battle-cruisers, tlie Lion has carried out her ordinary programme of steam trials, with the exception of the final acceptance
trial,

and is now preparing for completion. Opportunity has been taken for carrying out certain alterations which experience has shown to be desirable. The Princess Eoyal has been launched at Barrowin-Furness, and the

Queen Mary, building

month.

at Jarrow, will be

launched

on the 20th of

this

1911-12 programme, has been proJohn Brown and Sons. Three protected cruisers of the "Weymouth class, the Weymouth, Dartmouth, and Falmouth, have been completed and commissioned. The remaining vessel, the Yarmouth, has completed her steam trials, and is expected to be commissioned shortly. The five vessels of the Melbourne class, including two for Australia, have been laid down and the Chatham was launched at Chatham in November last.
battle -cruiser Tiger, of the

The

visionally ordered from Messrs.

Tenders have been received for the three protected cruisers of an improved Melbourne type, to be built by contract, and the order for one has been placed provisionally at Elswick. Orders for the other

two are about

is

to

be assigned.

cruiser of this type, the Brisbane,

being built by the

Commonwealth

of Australia.

Of the unarmoured cruisers, the Blonde and Active have been completed at Pembroke and commissioned and the Amphion and Fearless are both under construction at that Yard the former was launched in December of last year, and will be completed about
;
:

October next.

The remaining destroyer of the 1908-09 programme, the Nautilus, Works Company.' All the vessels of the Acorn class, 1909-10 programme, have been delivered. Of the destroyers of the 1910-11 programme, eight have been delivered and are in commission. The remainder are well advanced, and it is expected that several will be delivered before the end of the Of the twenty vessels of the 1911-12 procurrent financial year. gramme, thirteen have been ordered, and tenders for the remaining
has been delivered by the Thames Iron

seven have been provisionally accepted.

FIRST LORD'S STATEMENT.

371

Good
niarines.

progress

has been

made with

the

construction of snb-

tenders,

The depot ships for submarines, the Maidstone, and her the Adamant and Alecto, have been well advanced, and it is

expected that the Adamant will be completed this financial year.

The surveying ships Endeavour and Esther are well advanced;

the Daisy has been delivered.

Tenders have been invited for the two shallow-draught steamers,

Kingfisher and Rail, for service in China.

An
July.

order for a

new

depot ship, the Woolwich, for torpedo-boat

destroyers was placed with the

London and Glasgow Company

Portsmouth and the

last

The two

floating docks for

Medway

will be

completed early in the next financial year; a small floating dock

for destroyers has

been completed at and placed at Harwich

to

and

one for submarines,

be stationed ultimately at Dover, will be

completed by the end of this month.

Administration.

The Eight Honourable

of Admiralty.
Sir

Sir Francis J.

S.

Hopwood, G.C.M.G.,
after

K.C.B., has been appointed to be Additional Civil Lord on the Board

C.

Inigo

Thomas, G.C.B.,

46 years'

dis-

tinguished service in the Admiralty and over four years as Permanent

Secretary,
Sir

has retired under the age rule and been succeeded by

W. Graham Greene, K.C.B. A Naval War Staff has been created, and is working on the lines laid down in the Memorandum reprinted on page 385, under the
direction of Ptear-Admiral E. C. T. Troubridge, C.B., C.M.G., M.V.O.,

who

has been appointed Chief of the Staff.

Effect has been given to the

recommendations of the Committee

appointed to inquire into the organisation of the Department of the Accountant-General of the Xavy.

Committee, with the Civil Lord of the Admiralty as Chairman,

has been appointed to inquire into the staff of the Admiralty

Works

Department.

Lmperial Conference and

Naval Policy of the Dominions.

The Imperial Conference of 1911 led to an agreement with the Canadian and Australian Governments as to the status and discipline of the Dominion Naval Forces and their relations with the Royal
Navy. His Majesty the King has been pleased to approve the designations " Royal Australian Navy," " His Majesty's Australian Ships," and " Royal Australian Naval Reserve." The report of Admiral
2 B 2

372
Sir Reginald

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Henderson, K.C.B., to the Commonwealth Government
its

has been published, and, although the scope of

is

recommendations
is to

such that on

many

points no immediate decision

be expected,
to

the

Commonwealth

Government has expressed

is

its

obligation

Sir E. Henderson,

and has given, or

about to give, effect to certain

applicable.

portions of the report which are

more immediately
effect the

The

arrangements which will be necessary to

unit controlled by the

change from an

Australian squadron controlled by the Admiralty to the Australian

fleet

Commonwealth

are

being elaborated.

Special provision will probably be necessary for the period of transition.

Arrangements

for

the

maintenance of

certain

ships

in

New

Zealand waters, consequent on the institution of an Australian fleet, It is intended that H.M.S. New Zealand, the are now in progress.

which the Dominion has generously presented to the Eoyal Navy, shall visit New Zealand immediately after commisbattle-cruiser

sioning, probably early in 1913.

Union of South Africa is proposing by a Union Parliament to make provision for a division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, which will be trained under the supervision of the Admiralty and will be at the disposal of His Majesty's Government in war, all charges falling on the
of the
Bill

The Government

now

before

the

revenues of the Union.

The development of the naval policy of Canada is at the moment Until the proposals of the new Dominion somewhat uncertain. Government are formulated, it is not possible to say how far the
organisation of the recently constituted Royal Canadian

Navy

will

be modified; but the Admiralty will earnestly co-operate in any scheme which will enable Canada to take a real and effective part in the naval defence of the Empire.

The Sea-going Fleet.

Fleet Exercises.

Combined exercises were carried out off the S.W. coasts of England and Ireland at the end of June and beginning of July, and The ships which took part in these in the North Sea later in July. were drawn from the Home and Atlantic Fleets and Fourth Cruiser Squadron. The Third Division of the Home Fleet and some ships of the Fourth Division were completed to full crews, and special
exercises with torpedo craft also took place.

A series

of

combined exercises has been in progress

off the coast

of Spain since the middle of January, the several divisions of the

FIRST LORD'S STATEMENT.

373

taking

and the Mediterranean and Atlantic Fleets successively The Spanish Government has again courteously accorded permission for the fleets so engaged to make use of Spanish
P*leet

Home

part.

anchorages.

Ceremonies and

Visits.

last

His Majesty the King reviewed the Fleet at Spithead in June on the occasion of Their Majesties' coronation. Officers from

the foreign ships attended the ceremonies in London.

His Majesty's

ships were stationed, so far as possible, at British ports all over the

world in order to participate in the celebrations on the 22nd June.

The Commander-in-Chief on the China Station, with a large detachment from his flagship, was present at Shanghai on this day, and the Chinese and Foreign communities displayed the keenest sympathy in the rejoicings. The Japanese Government did honour to the occasion by stationing Japanese men-of-war at various ports of Japan and at Shanghai and Hong Kong to take part in the ceremonies. At Buenos Ayres H.M.S. Glasgow was honoured by a special visit
from the President of the Argentine Eepublic.

The First and Second Divisions of the Home Fleet were present Dublin Bay on the occasion of His Majesty's State visit to Dublin, and the Second Division at Aberystwith, when His Majesty visited that place. A guard of honour from His Majesty's ships Carnarvon and Cochrane took part in the ceremonies attending His Koyal Highness the Prince of Wales's Investiture at Carnarvon.
in

squadron of four armoured

Pt.

cruisers,

under the command of

Eear-Admiral Sir Colin

Keppel, K.C.I.E., K.C.V.O., C.B., D.S.O.,

escorted His Majesty on his recent voyage to India in H.M.S. Medina.

The Mediterranean Fleet

assisted in the entertainment of a French Squadron under Vice-Adrairal Bone de Lapeyrere which visited Malta to greet His Majesty on his return voyage. The relations of the two navies were marked by much cordiality.

The Kent and Challenger carried out the visits to Chile and other South and Central American Kepublics which were arranged in the
previous year.
places visited.

They were received with

signal hospitality at all the

The Astraea conveyed the

special British Mission to Siain on the

occasion of the Coronation of the Kin'' at Bangkok.

The Weymouth

visited Ferrol at the beginning of February, in

first

order to be present at the launch of the

Spanisli Dreadnought.
lust

The Barham visited (Jahatz of the Danube Commission.

in

October

during the Session

374

tHE NAtAL

AiTNtJAL.
Fleet.

General Service of the

The ships
Persian
direction

of

the

East

Indies Squadron have, as in previous

years, been engaged in the suppression of the traffic in

Gulf and

vicinity.

The

operations,

arms in the under the general

of Eear-Admiral Sir Edmund Slade, K.C.I.E., K.C.V.O., Commander-in-Chief on the East Indies Station, have been prolonged and arduous, but there is reason to hope that the traffic is becoming increasingly unprofitable, owing to the vigilance exercised by His

Majesty's ships.

China have added greatly to the Commander-in-Chief and to the work of the squadron stationed in these waters. The contending parties have fortunately been able for the most part to restrain their followers from attacks on European residents, but it was necessary for a time to land parties from the fleet at Canton and Hankow, It has been considered advisable temporarily to strengthen the squadron by
in

The unsettled conditions

responsibilities of the

the addition of the Pegasus

Station,

and the Defence

is

and Prometheus from the Australian on her way to join permanently the

British force available in these waters.

In conjunction with French and Eussian ships, vessels of the Mediterranean Pleet have been engaged in Crete in carrying out the
policy of the Protecting Powers.

Changes

in

Constitution of the Fleet.

Home

Fleet.

formation;

fully-manned destroyer flotilla is in course of comprises the destroyers of the 1910-11 programme which are now being delivered by contractors.
additional
it

An

Atlantic Fleet.

The Fifth Cruiser Squadron is being strengthened by the replacement of the Good Hope by the Shannon as flagship. The Amethyst,
hitherto affiliated to the Atlantic Fleet for service on the east coast of

South America, has been replaced by the Glasgow, a more powerful and modern cruiser.
Three submarines have been stationed
Mediterranean
Fleet.

at

Gibraltar.

The Aboukir, in the Sixth Cruiser Squadron, has been replaced by the Hampshire, and the Bacchante, in the same squadron, has been replaced by the Good Hope as flagship. The older destroyers on the

PtRST Lord's statement.

station

3*76

(those

of

modern destroyers

the 27-knot class) have been replaced by of the " Kiver " class.

more

Three submarines have been stationed at Malta.

Fourth Cruiser Squado-on.

The Melpomene and Aeolus (which has replaced the Scylla) have
been engaged, as in former years, on duties in the West Indies and

on the east coast

of Central

America.

The

Brilliant
;

Newfoundland waters during the replaced by the Sirius.

fishery season

she has

was employed in now been

China.

The older destroyers on the

station (those of the 27-knot class)

"

have been replaced by more modern destroyers of the

Australia.

River "

class.

The armoured

cruiser

Drake has relieved the protected

cruiser

Powerful as flagship on this station.

Cape of Good Hope.

The composition

of this squadron has

remained unaltered.

East Indies.
Additional vessels have continued to be employed as in recent
years in connection with the suppression of the arms
traffic.

The

Redbreast has been withdrawn.

West Coast of America.

ports in

The Shearwater and Algerine again carried out cruises to various North and South America. The Behring Sea patrol was
by the Algerine.
Cadets' Training Ships.

carried out

The Cornwall and Cumberland continue

service.

to

be employed on this

Their cruises have included visits to North America and to

Mediterranean waters.
Coast-guard and Fishery Service
Tlie Watcliful has been
Vessels.

added

to these vessels.

The Fanny has

been withdrawn.

Home

JWts.
in

In accordance with the statement issued

January,
the

tlie

yachts of

the Commanders-in-Chief at iJevonport and

withdrawn from
off

service,

and the vessel

at

Nore have been Portsmouth will be paid

durin" the

summer

37ti

THt:

NAVAL ANNtJAL.
Personnel.

first officers entered under the system of common entry passed their examinations for the rank of Lieutenant in May last, and since then two further terms have passed. Regulations have

The

been issued as to the manner in which such officers may specialise in and for marine duties after passing for the rank of Lieutenant. Briefly, officers who wish to specialise in engineering
engineering
will be eligible to

commence specialisation

in two to three years after

reaching the rank of Sub-Lieutenant.

After qualifying, they will

remain
(E),

officers of the

military branch, being designated Lieutenants

and will conform to all the regulations applicable to that branch. The pay will be the same as that of other Lieutenants, with a

It is the intention of the Board of Admiralty that the submarine service shall be regarded as a province specially suited to the employment of such officers.

specialist allowance in addition.

Officers selected to qualify as

marine

officers will

be eligible to

commence their course of instruction in military subjects eight months after reaching the rank of Sub-Lieutenant. On the conclusion
of the course, an officer will receive a commission as Lieutenant,

Eoyal Marines, and will as a general rule remain attached to the corps during the whole of his service, conforming to all the regulations of the Eoyal Marines. Provision has, however, been made for the
transfer of a marine officer to the general naval service at a later stage in his career, should such reversion be considered desirable.

special scale of

as promised in

pay has been laid down for future marine officers December, 1902, when the system of common entry

was announced.
In addition to officers who join the Eoyal Marines after passing through the ranks of Midshipman and Sub-Lieutenant, it has been decided to enter officers from outside candidates as may be required.

The

first examination for direct entry was held in December last, and eleven officers have been entered as probationary Second Lieutenants,

Eoyal Marines.

The development of aviation for naval purposes has been the subject of special attention, and all possible measures have been taken
to procure

an adequate and immediate supply of trained

officers

and

mechanics.

The establishments of Lieutenants, Accountant Officers, and Warrant Officers of the military branch have been increased to meet the
growing requirements of the Fleet. The retired pay of Paymasters-in-Chief, retired from that rank on the active list, has been increased by granting an addition of 10 a

B*1RST

LORD*S STATEMENT.
list

877
with a

year for each year's service in the rank on the active

maximum

of 500.
officers have been lent to the Australian (Tovernment to development of the Koyal Australian Navy. It has been

Twenty-six
assist in the

decided that officers lent to Dominion naval forces are in future to be supernumerary to the lists of officers authorised forthe EoyalNavy.

Captain of the Eoyal

the

Navy

has been selected to act as naval adviser to

High Commissioner

for the

Commonwealth

of Australia in London.

In accordance with the recommendations of the Committee which

was appointed
of the Eoyal

to enquire into the

naval medical service, considerable

into operation on the 1st July last.
title

changes in the organisation and conditions of service of this branch

Navy were brought

These changes include an alteration in the

Fleets,

of the

ranks of

Inspector-General and Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals and

who

will be

Surgeon-General, Eoyal

known in future as Surgeon-General and Deputy Navy an increase in the scale of full pay of
;

medical

officers

and the grant of charge pay

to the senior

medical

officers of large ships.

The conditions of employment in Her Majesty Queen Alexandra's Eoyal Naval Nursing Service have also been improved in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee. It has further been decided to establish a naval medical school of instruction, and research at the Eoyal Naval College at Greenwich,
Professors of and the school is now in process of development. hygiene and of bacteriology and clinical research have been appointed.

Eevised courses of postgraduate instruction will be introduced for

naval medical
officers,

to

include

a six

months' course prior to

advancement to Staff Surgeon, and a second course of three months for more senior officers. A system of accelerated promotion to Staff Surgeon has been
introduced for Surgeons, according to the standard they reach in

examination

for the higher rank.

These changes will be carried out concurrently with the develop-

ment

of the

Naval Medical School.

Special courses of instruction have been instituted at the naval

hospitals to enable sick berth ratings to qualify as operating

room
to

and laboratory attendants, extra remuneration

ratings so qualified.

being

grauted

The pension scale of Head Wardmasters has been improved, and their number has been increased from four to The nursing staffs of the naval hospitals are being enlarged eight. to a standard wliich will enable them to deal not only with ordinary
requirements, but also with epidemics or other emergencies.

revised

scheme

for the

enrolment and

triiiiiinj'

of Sur''eons in

3?8

fat: ITAVAL ANi^tJAL.

the Eoyal Naval Volunteer Reserve has been drawn up, in order to
increase the reserve of medical officers available in war.

Arrange-

ments have

also

been made with the

of the conference

civil hospitals for the

supply of

trained nurses in war-time.

The members
certain of
year,

which was appointed

to consider

the question of preventing the spread of tuberculosis have visited

His Majesty's ships and naval establishments during the and their recommendations are now under consideration. During the financial year 1910-11, 11,770 naval ratings and

recruiting agencies.

1092 marines were recruited from the shore through the various This was the largest entry for many years past and with the exception of armourers and painters, no difficulty was
all branches.

experienced in completing the full requirements of

and youths required to supply the seaman class 'personnel of the Fleet, have put considerable pressure on the training establishments at Shotley and in H.M.S. Impregnable and H.M.S. Ganges II. The question of accommodation is being carefully examined by a departmental committee, and in the meantime, to avoid the risk of overcrowding, drafts of boys have been sent
large entries of boys
to ships of the

The

Home

Fleet for sea training.

The system under which certain education authorities are invited to recommend candidates for entry as boy artificers has been revised so as to include the education authorities in most of the large towns in the United Kingdom. Candidates so entered are required to pass a competitive examination. The prospects of this rating continue to
attract a very large

number of candidates. Very satisfactory reports continue to be received on the engineroom artificers who have been trained from boy artificers, and also on men completing their training for mechanicians, and on the
mechanicians in sea-going ships.

The

steps taken to improve the standard of cooking on board ship

are being continued,

and accelerated advancement

proficiency.

is

granted to naval

cook ratings

who show marked

The general mess system has been extended during the year to The general mess is now in operation at each of the three naval ports, and appear to be increasthe Koyal Naval Barracks, Devonport.

ingly popular with the

men

in shore establishments.

The new detention quarters which have been built at Chatham and Portsmouth were opened in December last. The detention quarters at Devonport are also ready for occupation. It is too soon to express any final opinion as to the effect of the application of the detention system to the Navy, but there is every indication that it
will prove an unqualified success.

FIRST lord's statement.

Royal Marines.

379

The numbers borne on the 31st March, 1912, will be about There will also be about 1400 bank ranks afloat and under 15,800.
training, an increase of

100 on the previous year.

The number of re-engaged men now serving to complete time for pension is 4318, as compared with 4115 last year. Nineteen non-commissioned officers have qualified for and been promoted to the new warrant rank of Royal Marine Gunner, and are now serving in ships of the " Dreadnought " class. The numbers of Marines qualified in the higher gunnery ratings, including those qualified as Gunnery Instructors, are as follows
Gunlayers, 1st class
Gunlayers, 2nd class

Gunlayers, 3rd class

..... ..... .417

101
.

454

The work of re-arming and re-equipping the corps with short rifles and with new pattern equipments, which was begun in 1910,
will shortly be completed.

Coast-guard.

The establishment
year.

of Coast-guard of&cers
fleet

and men remains at

3100, and entries from the

have been continued throughout the were

:

The numbers borne on

Divisional Officers

1st January, 1912,

District Captains, District Paymasters and Staff.

.....
Fleet Reserve.

35 75
2,938
3,048

Chief Ofacers and

Men

Royal

The
from

numbers of the Royal Fleet Reserve have increased 21,943 to 24,082, the distribution of these numbers on
total

31st December, 1911, being as follows:

380

THE NAVAL ANNtJAL.

At
the end of the year there were 2777 .special service

men

in

the Eeserve as against 1421 at the beginning.

Royal Naval Reserve.

The strength
1912, was

of the

Royal Naval Eeserve (Home) on January

1st,

:
officers

Executive

FIRST lord's statement.

to 231 officers
;

381

and approximately 7500 men have been granted the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. The number of candidates fully qualified for appointment as officers, and especially as Midshipmen, in the lioyal Naval Reserve continues to exceed the number of vacancies. The number of Engine-room Artificers qualified and recommended for promotion to Warrant Engineer is more than sufficient to maintain the total establishment of Warrant Engineers required. Eecruiting for the seamen ratings is satisfactory, and no difficulty is anticipated in maintaining the numbers authorised. Considerable progress has been made with the entry and training
of the Trawler Section of the Royal JSTaval Reserve.

Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve,

The strength

of

the

force

is

now
:

six

divisions,

comprising

43 companies, the actual numbers being

Royal Naval Volunteers.

382
in the

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Naval ratings shown below during
their period of

embarkation

in 1911

:
Artificers
.

Engine-room

FIRST LORD'S STATEMENT.

383

Greenwich Hospital.
Consequent on the expiration at Michaelmas next of a number of ground leases, several large blocks of property in East Greenwich will shortly come under the immediate control of the Admiralty.

The character and condition

of

much
its

of this property is such as to

render a comprehensive project of

reconstruction
details,

necessary.

A
to

scheme has been prepared, and

which are estimated

entail a capital expenditure of about

50,000

in the course of the

next few years, will be carried out by the Department in the order
of their urgency. to

show an

increase,

The revenue from the Greenwich Estate continues and all important premises are let.

Prior to April, 1910, the cost of the naval age pensions of

men

of

the seamen pensioner reserve was, on their attaining 55 years of age,

automatically transferred from naval to Greenwich Hospital funds.

This transfer
of the
is

now

deferred until the

men would
is

obtain an award

Greenwich Age Pension

in the ordinary course of selection,

with the result that a substantial

distribution

sum

set free each

year for

among

older and

more necessitous men.

Oednance.

The manufacture

of

guns

is

proceeding at a satisfactory

rate,

and
and

the authorised reserves of ammunition are fully maintained.

An
a
first

automatic pistol has been adopted after extensive

trials,

supply will be made early in the year.

The high standard of shooting in the Fleet has been maintained There have been slight modifications in the conditions, which have tended to make the various practices a more searching test of efficiency,
and the results obtained are considered satisfactory. Other branches of naval ordnance, such as the development of the torpedo and the methods of controlling fire, continue to receive constant and earnest attention, and good progress has been made in the system of communication by wireless telegraphy. Arrangements have now been completed for carrying out at Sheffield the testing of all ordnance material made by contract for guns and projectiles, thus relieving Woolwich and saving valuable
time.

The Torpedo Factory

naval work, and the

at

Woolwich has been

is

finally closed

for

new

factory at Greenock

in full

working

order.

Works.
Several important items of work have been completed during
year, including the lengthening of the dock at
th(!

Haulbowliae and thu

torpedo factory at Greenock.

384

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Satisfactory progress has been

made with

the works

in

hand,

including the naval base at Eosyth and with the

at

new

lock and dock

Portsmouth;

it

has been decided to convert the dock at Portsfor torpedo-boat destroyers at

is

mouth into a second lock. The docking accommodation

broke
is

Pem-

well advanced, and that at Plymouth

practically finished.

The whole of the works provided for under the item of " Coaling and Fuel Storage " are completed, with the exception of a few minor services, and good progress is being made with the depot
Facilities

for submarines at Dover.

w.
Admiralty, Ath March, 1912.

s.-c.

FIRST LORD'S STATEMENT,

385

APPENDIX TO EXPLANATORY STATEMENT.

NAVAL WAR
STAFF.

The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty having determined upon the immediate formation of a Naval War Staff, the following Memorandum by the First Lord was published last January in general explanation of the changes involved also a minute dealing with the appointment of an additional Civil Lord, and a note by the Board of
;

Admii'alty dealing with the suppression of the expense of certain

establishments.

I.

Memorandum by the
1.

First Lord on a

Naval

War

Staff.

In establishing a AYar Staff for the Navy,

it is

necessary to

observe the broad differences of character and circumstances which

distinguish naval from military problems.

War

on land varies in

every country according to numberless local conditions, and each

theatre, like each separate battle-field, requires a special study.

new

A
the

whole
refined

series

of intricate

arrangements must be thought out and

;

got ready for each particular case

and these are expanded and

increase
in

continuously

with

every

the

size

of

and by every step towards the perfection of military The means by which superior forces can be brought to science. decisive points in good condition and at the right time are no whit less vital, and involve far more elaborate processes, than the strategic choice of those points, or the actual conduct of the fighting. The sea, on the other hand, is all one, and, though ever changing, always the same. Every ship is self-contained and self-propelled. The problems of transport and supply, the infinite peculiarities of topography which are the increasing study of the general staffs of Europe, do not affect the Naval Service except in an occasional and limited degree. The main part of the Biitish Fleet, in sufficient strength to seek a general battle, is always ready to proceed to sea without any mobilisation of reserves as soon as steam is Ships or fleets of ships are capable of free and continuous raised. movement for many days and nights together, and travel at least as Every vessel is in far in an hour as an army can march in a day. instant communication with its fleet and with the Admiralty, and all
armies,

2 c

386

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

can be directed from the ports where they are stationed on any sea
points

chosen for massing by a short and simple order.

efficiency
is

that
is

is

to say, the individual fighting

Unit power of each vessel

in the sea service for considerable periods entirely independent of

all external

arrangements, and unit efficiency at sea, far more even

the prime and final factor, without which the com-

than on land,

binations of strategy and tactics are only the preliminaries of defeat,

but with which even faulty dispositions can be swiftly and decisively
retrieved.

For these and other similar reasons a Naval

War

Staff

does not require to be designed on the same scale or in the same form
as the General Staff of the

Army.

2. Naval war is at once more simple and more intense than war on laud. The executive action and control of fleet and squadron Commanders is direct and personal in a far stronger degree than that of Generals in the field, especially under modern conditions. The art of handling a great fleet on important occasions with deft and sure judgment is the supreme gift of the Admiral, and practical seaman-

must never be displaced from its position as the first qualificaThe formation of a War Staff does not mean the setting up of new standards of professional merit or the opening of a road of advancement to a different class of officers. The War Staff is to be the means of preparing and training those officers who arrive, or are likely to arrive, by the excellence of their sea service, at stations of high responsibility, for dealing with the more extended problems which await them there. It is to be the means of sifting, developing, and applying the results of history and experience, and of preserving them as a general stock of reasoned opinion available as an aid and as a guide for all who are called upon to determine, in peace or war, It is to be a brain far more comprethe naval policy of the country. hensive than that of any single man, however gifted, and tireless and
ship
tion of every sailor.

unceasing in

its

action, applied continuously to the

scientific

and

speculative study of naval strategy and preparation.

It is to

be an

or

instrument capable of formulating any decision which has been taken, may be taken, by the executive, in terms of precise and exhaustive

detail.
3. It should not be supposed that these functions find no place in Admiralty organisation at the present time. On the contrary, during

the course of years, all or nearly all the elements of a

of every-day

War

Staff at

the Admiralty have been successively evolved in the practical working

affiiirs,

of the Foreign Intelligence

and have been developing since the organisation Branch in 1883. The time has now come

FIRST LORD'S STATEMENT.

to

387

tion, to invest that

it

combine these elements into an harmonious and effective organisanew body with a significance and influence whicli has not hitherto possessed, and to place it in its proper relation

to existing power.
4. The government of the Navy has by long usage been exercised by the Board of Admiralty representing the office of Lord High Admiral in commission. There is no need to alter this constitution, which has been respected through centuries of naval supremacy by The War Stafi" will, like all other persons in all ranks in the fleets. the Admiralty or the Navy, be under the general authority of the Board of Admiralty. It will not interpose any barrier between the Board and the Navy. All the orders which emanate from the Board will continue to be transmitted in the regular manner by the Secretary

to those
5.

whom
of

they concern.
of

Each of the Sea Lords on the Board

Admiralty has a special

sphere

superintendence assigned to him by the First Lord in

for

pursuance of the Order in Council.

with preparations
Lord,

The First Sea Lord is charged war and the distribution of the Fleet. The
is to

Second Sea Lord, who

be kept in close relation to the First Sea

mans
is

the Fleet and trains the men.

directs the military construction of the Fleet

Lord
stores

responsible

for

and ammunition.

The Third Sea Lord and the Fourth Sea furnishing it with adequate and suitable All these Heads of large departments will
;

have occasion, in the discharge of their respective duties, to recur to the War Staff or its various branches for general information or for

working out special

6.

inquiries.

Since, however, under the distribution of

Admiralty business
purposes,

on the Board, the First Sea Lord

occupies for certain

especially the daily distribution of the Fleet, on

which the safety of the country depends, the position of a Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, with the First Lord immediately over him as the delegate of the Crown in exercising supreme executive power, it follows that the War Staff must work at all times directly under the First Sea Lord. His position is different in important respects from that of the senior

member

of the

Army

Council as constituted.

The

First Sea Lord

is

an executive
the Staff, but
7.

officer in active contrul of daily

Fleet movements,

who

requires, like a general in the field, to

have at his disposal a Chief of

who

is

not the Chief of the Staff himself.

proper

Staff,

whether naval or military, should comprise

to acquire the inlbrmation

three

main branches, namely, a branch

on

2 c 2

388^

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

;

which action may be taken

a branch to deliberate on the facts so

obtained in relation to the policy of the State, and to report there-

upon

and, thirdly, a branch to enable the final decision of superior

authority to

be

put into actual

effect.

The

War

Staff at

the

Admiralty

will, in

pursuance of this principle, be organised from the

existing elements, in three Divisions

the

Intelligence Division, the

Operations Division, and the Mobilisation Division.

shortly described as dealing with

These

may

be

War

Information,

War

Plans, and

War

status,

Arrangements respectively. The Divisions will be equal in and each will be under a Director who mil usually be a Captain of standing. The three divisions will be combined together
Staff.

under a Chief of the

8.

The Chief of the

Staff will be a Flag Of&cer.

He

will be

primarily responsible to the First Sea Lord, and will work under
as his principal assistant

Mm

and agent. He will not, however, be the sole channel of communication between the First Sea Lord and the Staff; and the First Lord and the First Sea Lord will whenever
convenient consult the Directors of the various Divisions or other
ofi&cers if necessary.

This direction

is

essential to prevent that group

which have always arisen from the "narrow neck of the The Chief of the War Staff will guide and cobottle" system.
of evils

ordinate the
desired,

work of the Staff in all its branches. He will, when accompany the First Lord and the First Sea Lord to the Committee of Imperial Defence.
Although the methodical treatment of the vast number of by the Staff requires that there should be divisions and subdivisions, yet it is imperative that these should
9.

subjects to be dealt with

never be permitted to develop into water-tight compartments.

will be found that there is so

It

much

overlapping between divisions,

is

that

a constant, free, and

informal intercourse between them

this,

indispensable.

To promote

the Chief of the

Staff will
"

be

enjoined to hold frequent meetings

to

be called " Staff meetings

with the Heads of the three Divisions, and each of the Directors will be kept fully acquainted with the work of their two colleagues.

Each one

any moment to act for the Chief of the Staff in the latter's absence from whatever cause. In times of profound peace, action has often to be taken immediately on the receipt of some telegraphic report, or a request from one of
of the Directors will be ready at

the other Departments of State;

therefore

one of the three Directors will

call

always remain within prompt

by messenger, night

and day.

FIRST lord's statement.

10.

389

The functions of the

War

Staff'

will be advisory.

of the Staff,

when

decision has been taken

jointly responsible with the Secretary for

The Chief upon any proposal, will be the precise form in which

the necessary orders to the Fleet are issued, but the Staff will possess
It will discharge no administrative duties. end with the tendering of advice and with the accuracy of the facts on which that advice is based.
Its responsibilities will

no executive authority.

11. Decision as to accepting or rejecting the advice of the Staff

wholly or in part rests with the First Sea Lord, who, in the name of the Board of Admiralty, discharges the duties assigned to him by
the Minister.

In the absence of the First Sea Lord for any cause the
for him.

Second Sea Lord would act

12. It is necessary that there should be a close

and whole-hearted

co-operation between the

Admiralty and the General Staff of the Army. A proper connection will also be maintained between the War Staff and the various Departments of State which
Staff at the
It is not necessary

War

are involved in the different aspects of its work.

to specify further in this

Memorandum

the distribution of duties

Staff.

which will be made between the various branches of the

13.

The personnel

of

the

War

Staff

must be considerable

in

numbers, and will consist of naval

officers,

representing most grades

to the

and every

specialist branch, fresh

from the sea and returning

sea fairly frequently.

Nothing

in the constitution of the Staff will

all its

be designed to arrest the free play of professional opinion in

members from top

in all ranks.

to bottom.

Fresh ideas, new suggestions bred by

independent study and

reflection,

may

find their proper expression

Disciplined co-operation in working out schemes which

have been prescribed will not exclude reasoned criticism and original
conceptions, the central objects being to form at once a convenient

and

flexible macliine

for the elaboration of plans

and a school of

sound and progressive thought on naval science.

14.

The

selection

and training of the

is

officers to

compose a Staff

of the nature described

important.

Hitherto no special qualifi-

cations have been regarded as essential for the officers

employed in
all that
its

the Intelligence and Mobilisation Departments, because the ordinary

sea training of naval officers required.

was supposed

to

supply

was and

This training, however, although admirable on

practical

side, affords

no instruction

in the broader questions of strategy

y":ar

policy,

which become increasingly important

by

year.

change

390
in this respect
is

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

therefore considered advisable,

and a special course

of training at the

War

College will form an essential part of the

new

arrangements.
this

The President

of the College will be entrusted with

it

important duty, and, in order that

may

be carried out to the

best effect, he will at all times be in close touch

and association with

In course of time the appointment will be held by a Flag Officer who has been a Staff Officer himself. Candidates for the Staff will be selected from volunteers among Lieutenants of
the Chief of the
Staff.

suitable seniority as well as officers of other branches throughout the

Service,

irrespective

of

their

previous qualifications as specialist

officers or otherwise,

and those who pass the necessary examinations

at the end of or during the

War

College course will be eligible to

receive appointments either at the Admiralty or on the Staff of Flag

Officers afloat as they fall vacant.

In

all

cases,

however, regular
the other

periods of sea-going

executive duty will

alternate with

duties of Staff Officers of all ranks, in order that they

may

be kept

up

to the necessary standard as practical sea

officers.

All appoint-

ments on sea-going staffs will in the course of time be filled by these officers, and form the proper avenue to eventual employment in the
highest Staff positions at the Admiralty.
15.

The personnel

of the Staff as at

first

established will neces-

sarily consist of officers

of officers with suitable qualifications training. A certain These officers, and will therefore be appointed to the Staff at once. in the future those who, having successfully graduated in the Staff

who number

will not have received the

new

Staff

War College, may be selected for employment, will be constituted as a specialist branch of " Staff Officers," with, in certain
course at the
cases, special allowances, in the

same manner

as the officers

who

have specialised in gunnery, torpedo, and other branches. The organisation to which they belong while serving at the Admiralty The will be officially known as the "Admiralty War Staff." will form the Staff who the officers of appointment selection and on its first establishment will be promulgated at an early date, and
their actual
16. It is

work

will

commence very

shortly after.

hoped that the result of these arrangenients will be to Navy a body of officers afloat and ashore whose aptitudes for staff duties have been systematically trained and developed and, secondly, to place tlie First Sea Lord in a position whence he can decide and advise on the grand issues without being
secure for

the

burdened with undue

has been neglected.

detail,

and with every assurance that no

detail

FIRST LORD'S STATEMENT.

391

II.

Minute by the First Lord on the Appointment of an

Additional Civil Lord.

1.

The

special administrative province of the Third Sea

Controller of the
Materiel."

Navy
is

He

Lord and by the Order in Council as that of the naval member of the Board of Admiralty
is

defined

whose prime responsibility is to see that the right types of ships are built to carry out the war policy of the Admiralty, and that they are ready at the proper dates. These duties have always been of high consequence and distinction, but in modern times, when the march of naval science leaves the designs of every year behind it, obsolescent as soon as projected, and wlien naval tactics and naval strategy are being continually modified as a consequence of new inventions and developments in material, the duties of the Third Sea Lord have become so vital that they must engross the undivided attention of that officer. He should have leisure to reflect upon the great and novel issues which are constantly presented, to v/atch the monthly progress of the vessels that are under construction, and, above all, to visit the fleets themselves, and, by personal observation and practical contact with the working of the latest types, to satisfy himself about the improvements which are possible in future designs. For this his training and expert knowledge as a naval officer of rank have fitted him and he should be, as far as possible, relieved of routine and administrative functions, and set free to advise the Board upon the supreme subject in his charge.
;

this, the Controller's Department has in the passage and under the pressure of modern expansions, become the repository of a vast mass of business wholly different and apart from the military construction of the Fleet, and the oificer at its head is burdened with an immense number of administrative duties connected with the dockyards, with the finance of an office spending in the present year upwards of 20,000,000, and with the intricate and far-reaching commercial transactions arising out of contracts and purchasing business on a scale probably not equalled in this country. Fur much of this work the professional experience of an Admiral affijrds no special knowledge, and naval officers have frequently expressed reluctance to undertake responsibilities so inconsequent and unwieldy. Nothing but the liandiness and diligence characteristic of the naval service and Llie fidelity of the Admiralty staff have enabled this present combination of duties to continue without
2.

Instead of

of years,

misadventure.

392
3.

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

All that

may

be written of the importance of setting the Third

Sea Lord free to direct the military construction of the Fleet applies

with no

less force,

of Admiralty contracts.

though in a different sphere to the vast business Here problems of astonishing complexity

and of first magnitude arise in a long succession. Many, in fact most of them, are interdependent; and questions like the economic and financial position of particular firms and centres of ship-building,
the principles governing a wise and far-seeing distribution of orders,

the supply of armour-plate and other special commodities, the most

thrifty occasions for

making purchases

of all kinds, are all seen to be

related and to involve a large

and continuous commercial diplomacy which, properly conducted, should redound to the advantage of the Navy and the economy of the public service, and which should certainly be the sole and special study of one member of the Board of
Admiralty.
4.

It is

therefore proposed

to

revive,

though for a somewhat

different purpose, the office of Additional Civil Lord,

which was

for a

time instituted under Mr. Gladstone's Administration in 1882.

The

occupant of this post will be a

member

of the

Board of Admiralty.

He will be

appointed on a fixed tenure.

He

will be non-parliamentary

and non-political. Under him will be placed the various branches of Admiralty departments connected with contracts and purchasing. He will conduct the business and commercial transactions of the Board, and all their relations with the great contracting firms. He will, in short, be the Admiralty buyer and business manager, and it will be his duty to furnish the Third and Fourth Sea Lords with all that they may require in order to build, arm, equip, and supply the Fleet. Except as a member of the Board, he will have no responsibility either for the adequacy of naval preparations, or for the
technical suitability of materials ordered.

These duties can only be

discharged by the Sea Lords responsible for the various departments.

them to choose and for him to supply, and these functions, which are sympathetically related, are to be discharged in harmony by both parties, and with full knowledge of each other's spheres.
It is for
5.

It is not necessary here to enter

upon

details

which require

to

be elaborated with precision in co-operation with the persons concerned, and which will presently be embodied in a revised Table of

Distribution of Business issued by the First Lord under the authority

of the Order in Council.

The

object of this

Minute

is to

explain the

general character and intention of the

new appointment.

FIRST lord's statement.

393

III.

Note by the Board of Admiralty on the Expense

OF Certain Establishments.

The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have had under consideration the possibility of abolishing certain establishments, the

be out of proportion to the actual advantages Their Lordships have accruing therefrom to the Public Service. therefore carefully enquired into the use made of the various yachts
cost of

which appear

to

the conclusion that certain of

maintained at the cost of the Public Funds, and they have come to them may be dispensed with, either

because they have ceased to be of practical use or because the duties which they occasionally perform may equally well be rendered by
vessels having a definite value as ships of war. Their Lordships have decided that the three yachts. Undine, Fire Queen, and Vivid, which

are at present appropriated to the use of the Commanders-in-Chief at

the

Home

Ports, the ISTore,

necessary.
in the last

Plymouth, and Devonport, are no longer These vessels cost respectively in repairs and maintenance It has been financial year 4660, 6990, and 6840.
sell

decided to pay them off and

in the present year.

them

as early as

may

be convenient

The particular
Fleet.

service vessel Surprise has been detailed for

some

years as a yacht for the use of the Commander-in-Chief of the

Home

The

cost of this vessel during the last completed financial

year amounted to 17,860, and involved a withdrawal from their duties

of nine officers

and upwards of 100 men.

this vessel

The present Commander-in-

Chief was informed on succeeding to his

command

that the continued

their Lord-

maintenance of
ships have

was under consideration, and

now

decided that she shall be paid off forthwith.

An

arrangement will be made whereby a small suitable vessel, now maintained in the Third Division of the Home Fleet, may be made
available for the
duties,

Commander-in-Chief
it

for the purposes of his official

but this will involve no additional expense.

right that an additional allowance

Their Lordships consider

should be made to the Commanders-in-Chief of the

Home

Ports in

consequence of the abolition of

tlieir

yachts, which have long been an

amenity, and to some extent an emolument, belonging to these posts. It must be remembered that these officers have many claims upon
their private purse

which are not covered by the table-money,

it is

&c.,

which Order
his

is

allowed them, and

therefore proposed to obtain an

in

Council to grant each of the three Commanders-in-Chief

in question a special allowance of

500 per annum

as

an increase

to

pay from the date from which the yacht ceases

to be

maintained

394

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

pay or
retired pay.

for his use, the allowance not to affect half

The

consent of the Treasury has been obtained to this arrangement, the

result of
It

which

is

to secure a net saving of ^634,850.

should be noted that this

sum

will suffice to

meet the additional

expense involved in the organisation of the new War Staff, and the appointment of an additional Civil Lord, and will further yield a
substantial

economy

in the public charges.

Directions will be issued accordingly.

Admiralty, January

1,

1912.

FIRST lord's statement.

395

o
O

11

CO

o
I

T"
'"'

00 -^
S-i

^
OS

-^^^

O >
l-H

E^

H I Q w ^ X

t>

125

O
^
H

><1

to

396

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Abstract of

Navy
Estimates,

Votes.

ApproOross Estimate.
priations in

Aid.

I.

Numbers.
Seamen,

Total Number of Officers, guard, and Royal Marines

.....
Boys,

Coast

136,000

II.

Effective Services.

7,801,500 3,359,437
289,965
174,500

Wages, &c., of Officers, Seamen and Boys, Coast-gnard,"! and Royal Marines
Victualling and Clothing for the

...
.

Navy

731,337
20,065
100

Medical Establishments and Services

Martial

Law

.....
....
. .

3,600
218,885
103,789

Educational Services
Scientific Services

66,385 31,789

Royal Naval Reserves

Shipbuilding, Repairs, Maintenance, &c.
Section
I.

436,432

9,732

Personnel
Materiel

Section

II.

....
Home and Abroad

3,515,800

22,000
380,300
175,000 145,700

5,457,100
13,230,600

Section III.

Contract Work

Naval Armaments
10
11

Works, Buildings, and Repairs at

Miscellaneous Effective Services

12

Admiralty

Office

...... ......
.

4,064,700 3,547,000

32,000
13,386

545,386
437,350

8,850
1,811,144

Total Effective Services

43,011,544

III.

Non-Effective Sebvices.
977,212
21,412

13 14

Half-Pay and Retired Pay

Naval and Marine Pensions, Gratuities, and

passionate Allowances
Civil Superannuation,

Com-1

1,547,126

30,926
410 52,748
1,863,892

15

Compensation Allowances, andl

. . .
.

Gratuities

./

413,410

Total Non-Efieotive Services

2,937,748
45,949,292

Grand Total

Provisiuu to the extent of 97,820 Is included in the t^timates fur I9I2-1913 undir Votes ti, 10 and 12, lor tbe Acts, 1895 to 1965. In addition to the Cash expenditure, stoclcs of Stores purchased in previous years

BRITISH

NAVY ESTIMATES,

1912-1913.

397

Estimates for 1912-1913.

1912 1913.

398

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Statement of the Principal Points of Difference between the Estimates of 1911-1912 and those for 1912-1913.

of Artificers in Dockyards Naval Stores for the Fleet Propelling Machinery for His Majesty's Ships and Vessels (Contract) Hulls of Ships (Contract) Repairs and Alterations by Contract of Ships, &c. Gun Mountings and Air-Compressing Machinery (Contract) Machinery for His Majesty's Shore Establishments (Contract)

Wages

....... ........
....
.

DECREASES.

56,098 93,350 208,093 896,163 45,000 186,527 80,000

1,565,231

INCREASES.
Wages,
&c,.,

of Officers,

Victualling and Clothing for the Educational Services

Eoyal Naval Reserves

Fuel, &c., for the Fleet

..... ....
....
.

Seamen and Marines Navy

Decrease in Amount of Receipts arising from the Sale of Ships Auxiliary Machinery, &c., for His Majesty's Ships and Vessels"!
(Contract)
.

98,500 4,000 2,000 40,300 123,500 77,500

2,038
93,345 14,000 195,500 449,700 90,000 23,248

Armour

for

His Majesty's Ships and Vessels (Contract)

Inspection of Contract Work Naval Ordnance Establishments, and Naval Ordnance Stores Works, Buildings, and Repairs Non-Eflfective Services Miscellaneous Increases Decrease in Amount of Repayment from the Government of India on account of Services rendered by His Majesty's Ships engaged in the Suppression of the Arms TraflSc in

..... ..... ...... ......

Net Decrease

the Persian Gulf

........

44,500
1,258,131

307,100

BRITISH

NAVY ESTIMATES,

1912-1913.

399

Statement showing the Total Estimated Expendituhe

iucludiug

for tlie

Naval

Service,

Amounts provided

in the

Navy

Estimates, as well as in the Civil

:

Service and other Estimates,

for the following Services

1912-1913.

Navy Estimates:
Estimated Expenditure
(after

deducting Appropriations in Aid)

Civil Service Estimates: (o) Estimated Expi-nditure under Public Buildings, Great Britain Class I. Vote 10.

Maintenance and Repairs, includingl,^ ^c^ '^" New Works, Alterations, &c. J^"Rents, Insurance, Tithes, &c. 2,290 . Fuel, Light, Water, &c. . 6,000 Furniture 3,500
. . .

Class

I. I.

Vote

11.

14. 15.

I.

Surveys of the United Kingdom Rates on Government Property Public Works and Buildings, Ireland
. .

Coast-guard, viz.

Purchase of

Sites

New Works and

Alterations, including
.

Naval Reserve Stations Maintenance and Supplies Naval Reserve, viz. Maintenance and Supplies
:

6,970 4,219
31

Class

II.

Vote 8. Board of Trade

Staff
tlie

and Incidental Expenses

in connection with

Royal Naval Reserve Force

Services Incidental Expenses in connection with

II.

9. Mercantile Marine
Staff

and

II.

13. 15.

II.

Government Chemist Analysis of Food, &c. Exclie<iner and Audit

Audit)

the Royal Naval Reserve Force

Department
. .
.

.....
(Cost
of

Navy Cash Accounts Expense and Manufacturing Accounts Store Accounts

....
. .
:

5 907
,

176

Class

II.

Vote

24.
1.

III.
III.

III.
III.

Stationery and Printing Law Charges, England Maintenance of Naval Prisoners Prisons, England and the Colonies Prisons, Scotland 21. Prisons, Ireland
8.

14.

..... ...... ......

for provision of
,

4,556

Revenue Department Estimates:

Vot(!
1.

District Paymasters of the Coast-guard. &c. Vote 1. Customs and IOxcis(;. Staff and Incidental nection with the Royal Naval Reserve Force Vote 3. Post Office

Customs

and Excise. Percentage

funds for
. .

....
Expenses

in con-

400
c^

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

O

P H Q

!25

o o

m o I H P
H

O
13

(2;

o
CO

EH

BRITISH

NAVY ESTIMATES,

1912-1913.

401

o o o o oo

oo oo
o o oo
1-1

05

o oo o
I-H
<*<

oo oo -*
05

402

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

VOTE

(A).

NTXJMBEES of Officers, Seamen and Boys, Coast-guard, and Eoyal Marines Borne on the Books of His Majesty's Ships, and at the Eoyal Marine Divisions.
One Hundred and Thirty-six Thousand.
(136,000.*)

BRITISH

NAVY ESTIMATES,

1912-1913.

403

Vote {K) continued.

II.

Other

Services

Under which
Vote

404

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

VOTE
I.

8.

SHIPBUILDING, KEPAIES, MAINTENANCE,

&c.

-Estimate of the Sum which will be required, in the Year ending 31st March, 1918, to defray the Expenses of Shipbuilding, Eepairs, Maintenance, &c., including the Cost of Establishments of Dockyards and Naval Yards at Home and Abroad.

Section

I.

Section

II.

Personnel. Three Million Four Hundred and Ninetythree Thousand Eight Hundred Pounds. (3,493,800.) Materiel. Five Million and Seventy-six Thousand Eight Hundred Pounds (5,076,800.)

Dockyard Work.

Section

III.

Contract Work. Contract Work. Thirteen Million and Thousand Six Hundred Pounds.

Fifty-five

(13,055,600.)
(Total of the Three Sections of Vote 8 II.
. .

21,626,200.)
this

Sub-Heads

under which Section I., Personnel, of will be accounted for.

ESTIMATES.

Vote

Increase.

Decrease.

DOCKYARD WORK.
Section I. Personnel. Dockyards at Home.
A.
B.
C.

1912-1913.

1911-1912.

(o) 248,437

3,109
3,'864

.59 ,'539

Wages, of Men, and hire of Teams Wages, &c., of Police Force D. Contingencies
&c.,

Salaries and Allowances

....
. . .

2,647,764 59,689 3,700

245,328 2,707,303 55,825 2,900

800

Naval Yards Abroad.

Salaries and Allowances F. Wages, &c., of Men, and hire of Teams of Police Force G. Wages, H Contingencies
E.
&c.,
.

'(a)113,33.')

420 885 21,340 650

,

112,695 417,444 21,355 650

640 3,441
15

I.

Deduct, Appropriations in Aid

3,515,800
22,000

3,563,500 22,000

11,854

59,554

3,493,800

3,641,500

11,854

59,,554

Net Decrease

47,700(6)

(a) These amonotB include the subib of 39,661 for pay of Inspectors of Trades and Senior Draughtsmen at Home and 15,365 for pay of Inspectors of Trades Abroad, which is charged direct to the cost of shipbuilding,
see

Programme.
Machinery

(6) This Vote is increased by a sum of 420 in respect of Dockyard Labour on Fixed originally provided for by advances under the Naval Works Acts, 1895 to 1905.

i^o<. Provision has been made for

Section
1

New

Construction in the above Vote to the extent 942,175 647,175

12 382,177

of

,.3

13,971,527

The difference (142,979) between the provision under Section III. of the Vote (12,382,177) and the amount shown in the Programme (12,239, 98) is due to the estimated withdrawals from Stock of transferable auxllisry machinery, gun mountings and steamboats during the year being lees than the cash payments for like articles brought into Stock iu the same period. In addition to the Cash Vote of 5,076,800 under Section II., stocks of Naval Stores purchased in previous years will be drawn upon without replacement during 1912-1913 to the extent of 66.000.
1

BRITISH

NAVY KSTIMATES,

1912-1913.

405

Vote
II.

8.

Shipbuilding, Kepairs, Maintenance, &c.

II.,

contin'ued.
this

Sub-Heads under which Section

Materiel, of

will be accounted for.

406

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Vote

8.

Shipbuilding, Eepairs, Maintenance, &c.

continued.
of this

II.

Sub-Heads under which Section III., Contract Work, Vote will be accounted for.

BRITISH

NAVY ESTIMATES,

1912-1913.

407

VOTE

9.

NAVAL ARMAMENTS.
I.

Estimate of the Sum which will be required in the Year ending 31st March, 1913, to defray the Expense of Naval Armaments,
Three Million Nine Hundred and Nineteen Thousand Pounds.

(3,919,000.)

II.

Sub-Heads under which

this

Vote will be accounted

for.

ESTIMATES.
Increase.

1912-1913.

1911-1912.

NAVAL ORDNANCE, &o., ESTABLISHMENTS ABROAD.

A.
B.

AT

HOME
.

AND
57,836

54,840
2,996 3,000
500

Salaries and Allowances

Artificers, &c.

Wages of C. Wages of Crews

nance Vessels
D.
E.

344,700
12,700

341,700
12,200

of

Naval Ord-

Wages, &c., of Police Force Medical Attendance, Rents,!

Water, Gas, &c., and Coutin->
gencies
. .

33,200
16,394

29,000
16,760

4,200
366

NAVAL ORDNANCE STORES.

F. Guns
1,081,500 1,480,500 1,160,000 1,210,000

78,500

Projectiles and Ammunition H. Torpedoes and Gun-cotton Small Arms, Torpedo Materials,!
G.
I.

270,500
25,900

334,500

308,600

Maintenance of Vessels, and)

Miscellaneous
.

413,370

428,000

14,630

K.

Inspection,
&c

Proof, Experiment8,\
/

26'),

000

245,000
21,300

20,000
3,700

L.

Freight

and Incidental Charges

25,000
1,064,700

M.

Deduct, Appropriations in Aid

3,827,400
106,400

330,796

93,496

145,700

39,300
I

'

:!,919,000

3,721,000

291,496

93,496

Net Increase

198,000

408

PROGRAMME
Sub-Heads under which
this

of

PiioGRAMME of the EstimaTed Expendituee in Cash, and in Net Maintenance, &c., in (Exclusive of the Fleet

Estimated Expenditure

will be provisions of Section 1 (2), Army

ESTIMATED EXPENDITDRE LN
Direct Expenditure.

Dockyard Work.
Contract

Work,
PerBonnel,
Sec.

Materiel,
Sec.

Sec.

m.

Total Direct Expenditure. (A)

n.

NEW CONSTRUCTION
A. dockyaed-built ships
Hulls, &c.(c)
.

825,985

537,320

2,026,167 3,389,472 1

Machinery

72,585

27,465

739,874

839,924' 2

898,570

564,785 2,766,041 4,229,396 S

B. CONTEACT-BUILT SHIPS
(3)

Hulls, &c. (c)

42,805

90,960 6,003,910 6,137,675

Cr.

Macbiuery

10,420 3,165,915 3,155,495

42,805

80,540 9,169,825 9,293,170

C OTHEE
TOTAL

VESSELS,

&c. (d)

800

1,850

303,332

305,982 7
(e)

NEW CONSTEUCHON

942,175

647,176 12,239,19813,828,548 8

0. EEPAIES, ALTEEATIONS, &c.

E. STORES, FOR MAINTENANCE,.
&c
1

1,506,500

742,650

231,543 2,480,693 9

1,027,500

1,027,50010

F. ESTABLISHMENT,
TAL.

AND

INCIDENMISCELLANEOUS}'
j

11

CHARGES, UNAPPROPRIATED

.)

TOTAL

2,448,675 2,417,325 12,470,741117,336,741 12

(c) Including Hydraulic and Transferable Gun Mountings, &c. (d) Including Harbour Craft, and excluding Torpedo Boats, &c., the value of which is included under other ."^ub-IIeads. {e) Exclusive of 1,800 provided under Vote 2 fof new Lighters for Victualling Yard Service, 39,200 provided under Vote 9 for New Vessels for Naval Ordnance Store Service and 122,000 for Coaling Craft, Vote 8, Section 2,

Sub-Head K. (/) Including 1,077,736

for

Armour.

(g) InclndiDg 1,488,416 for Armour.

SHlPBUILDlNa,

&c.

409

Values of Stoues issued for Shipbuilding, Uepairs, Alterations, the Year 1912-1913. Coaling Service.)
accounted
for

in

the

Navy Expense Accounts, under

1889.

the

AND Navy Audit Act,

1912-1913.

410

TH NAVAL ANNUAL.

LIST

of

New

Ships and Vessels Estimated to be Passed into Commission

durinof the Years

1912-1913 and 1911-1912.

1912 1913.

Load

Name

of Ship.

Displace-

Estimated

Number
of Guns,

meut
In Tons.

Horse Power.

ARMOUBED
King George
Centurion

SHIPS,

Thunderer
Conqueror

22,500 22,500

(O
Ajax
Lion
.

Princess Eoyal

Queen Mary

TTNARMOITRED
SHIPS.

Dublin

Southampton

Chatham

Amphion

TORPEDO CRAFT
Torpedo BoATlgj. Destroyers /
.

Submarine Boats 6

MISCELLANEOUS
Maidstone

Woolwich
Endeavour
Alecto

Kingfisher
Rail
. .

CO

BRITISH

NAVY ESTIMATES,

1912-1913.

411

P4

P
Eh

Eh CQ

O
o
<1 h)

P
Eh Ph <^

412

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

FIEST LOED'S SPEECH.*

On

introducing the

Navy Estimates

in

the

House of Commons,
is

March

18th, Mr. Churchill said:

The

foundation of naval policy

Finance, and the only credit that can be claimed

by the Board
a

of

Admiralty
consistent

is for

keeping the requirements of the

Navy at

minimum

with public safety and for securing the utmost possible development of war power from the funds entrusted to them. If the country
is of

opinion that the needs of the

for, it is

amply provided

to the
to the

House

of

Navy have been well and Commons and not to the

It is

Board of Admiralty, and

Chancellor of the Exchequer and not

to the First Lord, that their thanks

and gratitude are due.

it is

necessary that this should be recognised, and

right for

me

to

say at this point that the great scale which our naval armaments

have been forced to assume has only been rendered possible without additional taxation or recourse to borrowing by the wonderful fertility

Budget of 1909, for which my right hon. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will be long and variously remembered and increasingly respected. The financial aspect of the Naval Estimates is not cheerful. All the world is building navies, and everything connected with every navy is constantly increasing in size, complexity, and cost. Naval finance cannot be conveniently studied on the basis of a single year. Annual Estimates, however useful they may be for certain purposes of Parliamentary control, do not give the House of Commons a fair chance of understanding or of measuring naval expenditure. Capital ships affect the Estimates of three successive years. The Estimates I present to-day are almost entirely governed by what was settled last year and the year before, and the Estimates and war strength of two years hence will be mainly decided by what is determined this year by the House of Commons. So far as possible I have tried to look ahead, and the effect of every measure to which I shall refer to-day has been and is being worked out on the various Votes for three, four, and five years ahead. It may be, though of course I do not make any pledge on the point, that during the course of the
of the great

present year

we

shall find ourselves able so far to forecast future

naval finance as to be able to present in the House of

Commons
to the

next year the Estimates not of one year but of a series of years.
* Reprinted
Official

from The Times, and revised where necessary according

Report.

FIRST LORD'S SPEECH.

For the present, however,

413

my

study of this immense business does

not enable me to go beyond certain general indications in regard to prospective finance, which are given and will, I trust, be taken strictly without prejudice. Owing principally to labour troubles which have involved delays in shipbuilding, there has been an under-spending on the Votes for shipbuilding, repairs, and maintenance of 1,600,000.

The bulk of that sum has

continues.
inflated

to be at

once surrendered to the Exchequer,

it

although the liability to meet which

was voted

for I'arliament still

artificially

In consequence the Estimates of 1912-13 are

by 600,000 and those of 1913-14 by about 1,000,000. It has been found necessary, with Treasury sanction, to dispose of 300,000 of this under-spending so as to provide for certain urgent

had the effect of relieving by that amount the The extra burden on the Estimates of Estimates of 1912-13. 1913-14 is, however, irremediable.
services,

and

this has

Bringing Expenditure Forward,

Since it is most desirable both for home and foreign services that Naval Estimates should, if possible, exhibit a continuous downward tendency, apart from measures consequent upon new increases abroad,
I

have endeavoured

to bring as

much

expenditure forward into the

year 1912-13
years.
is

as possible in order to lighten the

burden of succeeding

rather larger proportion than usual of the

all

new programme
full level.

to be

taken in hand during 1912-13, and

to
justifiable,

reserves of guns,

ammunition, and torpedoes are

These measures, which are
grounds,
will, I

be brought up to their

hope, have the effect

and even necessary, on other of securing for Votes 8 and 9

the two principal index Votes on naval finance

a continuous

decline,

aggregating in the three years in prospect about 2,300,000.

This
if

diminution would continue to the extent of another 300,000 survey were extended two years further.

the

The progressive reduction

and improvement in Votes 8 and 9 will be very largely counteracted by the growth of automatic and uncontrollable charges, charges The which accrue on Votes other than Votes 8, 9 and 10. Accountant-General estimates that even if no addition to numbers were necessary beyond the 135,000 expected to be borne on March 31, 1912, there would be an increase through the mere maturing of obligations which the State has already contracted in pay, allowances, pensions, &c., of 250,000 in 1912-13, and an additional 415,000 in 1913-14. If the numbers increase at the rate of 2000 a year which is the lowest possible increase which

can be contemplated on the basis of the programme of other countries remaining as they are now disclosed, tlien the automatic augmentation

414
of the Votes over in the five years I

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

which the Accoimtant-Geueral presides would
consideration

am taking into

amount

to

1,700,000.

Sources of Increased Expenditure.

The second source

of certain

the consumption of fuel

coal and

and uncontrollable increase lies in oil. That is due to the rapidly

Ships are joining the

increasing horse-power of the Fleet.

Navy

of

70,000 horse-power, and of course they consume for an equal

of

amount

movement

a greater quantity of fuel than the vessels of from

15,000 to 20,000 horse-power which they replace.

to the

The increase due

Thirdly,

automatic augmentation of coal and

five years

oil

consumption will not

be less in the next

there
is

than about 900,000 a year.

the ever-increasing size and cost of ships of all types and

classes, necessitating larger docks,

wider dock entrances, and more

Lastly, there
is

complicated and extensive repairing plant.

the

ordinary labour pressure in the dockyards and the general advance

in prices.

The House

will see that the relief

we may expect on one

to

set of charges is likely,

on the figures I have adduced,

be very
of

largely neutralized by automatic increases

upon other portions

all

the Estimates.

The requirements of 1912-13, after

possible

reductions have been made, including relief by expenditure of the

surplus in 1911-12, present the following principal features:

increase of ^personnel
of 2000,

An

an increase in the pay, non-effective pay, and other automatic charges of 280,000, an increase in the cost of fuel of 125,000, an increase in the Votes for armaments and ammunition of 200,000, and an increase of the expenditure upon works due only to the execution of existing contracts at Rosyth and Crombie of 450,000, making a total increase of 1,055,000, against which I have been able to show^ a reduction of about 1,100,000 in new construction and about 250,000 on other services under Vote 8. The nominal net decrease, therefore, upon the Estimates is
just over 300,000 and the true decrease
is

600,000.

Germany and the Naval

I propose,
this

Situation.

afternoon

with the permission of the House, to lay bare to them with perfect openness, the naval situation. It is

I regret necessary to do so mainly with reference to one Power. that necessity, but nothing is to be gained by using indirect modes of

expression.

On

the contrary, the

Germans

are a people of robust

mind, whose strong and masculine sense and high courage do not recoil from, and arc not offended by, plain and blunt statements of
fact if expressed

with courtesy and sincerity.

to the

discharge

my

duty

House and the country.

Anyhow, I must The time has come

FIRST LORD'S SPEECH.

415

when both
what

nations ought to understand, without ill-temper or disguise,

will be the conditions

under which naval competition will be

The cost and strength of a navy all, there is the establishment things first of upon two main depend in the various scales of commission, of ships and men, maintained and secondly the rate and amount of new construction by which The increase in the the existing fleets are renewed or augmented. establishment of great navies like the British and the German Navies does not involve such heavy additions to the annual
carried on during the next few years.
;

expenditure as the increase in

hand, the cost of increases in
years in which
it

new construction. new construction is

On

the other

confined to the

takes place and comes to an end with the com;

pletion of the ships

while increases in the number of men, although

is

comparatively small so far as the cost in one year

a

concerned,

involve charges in pay and pensions which recur year after yeai
for

whole

generation.

Increases

in

new

construction

mean

increased strength for fighting through having better military plant.

Increases
in establishment

mean

increased readiness for fighting

through being

better

organised

and better

trained.

It

will

be

convenient for the House to bear these distinctions in mind.

The Fighting Value of pre-Dreadnoughts.

Before
I discuss the actual

standard of

new

construction which

we should

look to as our guide in the next few years, there are three
shall venture to

general observations which I

that in times of peace
of
as

make.

The

first

is

we measure the

relative naval construction

two navies by percentages, and that is, perhaps, as good a way any other. In naval war, and especially in modern naval war, another system of calculation becomes dominant. Battles are not decided by ratios or percentages. They yield definite and absolute results, and the strength of conflicting navies ought to be measured, and is measured, not as in peace by comparison, but by subtraction. We must expect that in a fleet battle between good and efficient navies, equally matched, tremendous damage will be reciprocally inflicted. Many ships on both sides will be sunk or blown up. Many more will sustain injuries whicli will take months to repair.
Others, again, will

not come out

during the

whole of the war.

Indeed, the more

of a

we

force ourselves to
tlie

picture the hideous course

more one is inclined to believe that it will resemble the contest between MaTnilius and Herminius at the Battle of Jvako liegillus, or the still more homely conflict of the Kilkenny cats. That is a very satisfactory reflection for the stronger
naval

modern naval engagement,

Power.

It

will

always

pay the stronger naval Tower

t((

416

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

The process
road,
to

lose ship for ship in every class.

of cancelling

conduct

us,

albeit

by a ghastly

certain

victory

would and a

condition, not of relative but of absolute superiority.

Further, with

a reciprocal destruction of the newer ships, the older vessels will

when the ace is out the king is the best card, and so on. We possess more Dreadnoughts than any other two Powers in the world to-day, and if all the Dreadnoughts in the world were sunk to-night our naval superiority would be greater than it is at the present time. We cannot imagine the course of a naval war which would not tend steadily to increase the relative
rise swiftly in value
;

fighting value of the large resources

until, as

we

possess in pre-Dreadnoughts,

time went on, quite old vessels would come out and play an

important part.
Staff to bring

We

therefore

keep such vessels carefully in a

material reserve, and arrangements are being perfected by the

War

them

into commission at the sixth, ninth, or twelfth

month

of

any war.

All this must be considered in judging the

standards of

new

construction which are appropriate to our needs.

CONSTEUCTION AND MAINTENANCE ChAEGES.

The second observation which

it is

would wish

to

make

is

this

very easy to

make

rapid increases in

new

construction so long

you are not burdened with the expense of maintaining a great Our German neighbours have not yet begun to feel establishment. the weight of maintaining year by year a gigantic naval service. These charges matiu'e slowly but remorselessl5^ The expenses of maintenance apart from new construction must grow irresistibly with every year, and therefore it may be found that as time passes the very rapid rate of new construction which we have seen elsewhere may to some extent be abated by the deadweight drag of increasing maintenance charges. We have a very wide and long experience We know the forces which are operative upon in the Admiralty.
as

the finance of a great nav}% and

will not

we

are not yet convinced that they

be found, sooner or later, to operate elsewhere.

is

My

third

observation
for the

this

it is
it

wrong and wasteful to build a single ship

wanted.

Navy
all

before

is

Up

to the

moment when
;

the

contract for a

battleship has been

definitely signed, the vessel is

the heir to

the expanding naval science of the world

but from

the day

when

the design has been finally fixed she

is

obsolescent.

She has become a wasting security. Nearly three years of her have been lived before she is born. Before she is even launched the vessels which are capable of destroying her have been projected. It is an ill service to the Navy and to tlie State to build We have to sow each year for the a single sliip before its time.
brief life

"

FIRST LORD'S SPEECH.

harvest

417

we
is

require two years later as niueh as

I

more.

What
rule

might venture

to

call

"

the

argument
safe

as detrimental to efficiency as to

we re(|uire aud no more the merrier economy. The only

is

wliich

the British Admiralty can follow

to

maintain

the

minimum

consistent with full security.

Guarantee by the Admiralty.

Having reviewed our
existing naval

resources

in

the

light

of

the foregoing observations,

against Germany.

we

are

not prepared to

the present time the two keels to one standard in

recommend at new construction

The time may come when that

will be necessary,

but

it

is

not necessary now.

I will, however, state precisely the

standard which

we

regard as appropriate to the present situation.

Before doing

so, I

should like to

make

it

clear that, as a result of

the measures taken by

is

my
for

right hon. friend the

Home

Secretary, there

no cause whatever

alarm or despondency.

The Admiralty

are prepared to guarantee absolutely the

main

security of the country

and of the Empire day by day for the next few years, and if the House will grant us what we ask for the future, that prospect may be indefinitely extended. I propose, first of all, to deal with new
construction and leave the establishment of the

Navy

to the last.

Standards of naval
situation.

strength

must vary with circumstances and

Adequate naval superiority is the object, and the standards which we adopt are necessary though arbitrary guides for securing it. When the next two strongest naval Towers were France and Russia, and when those two Powers were also what one might call the most probably adverse diplomatic combination, the two-Power standard was a convenient rule, based upon reality, for us to follow as a guide. The passage of time and the rise of the Navy of a single Power to the first place upon the Continent We have no longer to contemplate as our have changed this. greatest potential danger the alliance, junction, and co-operation of two naval Powers of approximately equal strength, with all the weakness and uncertainty inherent in such combinations but we have had for some time to consider the growth and development of a very powerful homogeneous navy, manned and trained by
;

the greatest organising people of the world, obeying the autliority of

a single Government,
shores.

and concentrated within easy distance of our

if it

In consequence, the two-Power standard,

inapplicable, because

applied

to

P^urope alone, would be quite

would be

wholly inadequate.

On

the facts of to-day the

Navy we should
re(|uire

require to secure us against the most probable adverse combination

would not be very nmch greater than the Navy we should

2 E

418
to

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Power.
la order,

secure us agaiust the uext strongest naval

therefore, to provide a reason for the necessary

measures which have

been taken during the

last

few years

it

has become necessary to

extend the two-Power standard so as to include the United States of America, and thereby the two-Power standard has lost much of
its

good sense as well as

its reality.

Sixty per Cent. Superiority.

The time has come

standard of

for us to readjust

our standard in closer

accord with actual facts and probable contingencies.

The actual which the Admiralty has in fact followed during recent years has been to develop a 60 per cent, superiority in vessels of the Dreadnought type over the German Navy on the basis of the existing fleet law. There are other and higher standards for the smaller vessels with which I will not

new

construction

complicate the argument, because

finance.
If

they do not greatly affect the

Germany were

to adhere to her existing

that that standard would, in the absence of

law we believe any unexpected develop-

ments in other countries, continue

next four or
cerned.

to be a convenient guide for the

five years, so far as this capital class of vessel is conit

Further than that

is

idle to speculate.

must

not,

however, be taken as agreeing that the ratio of 16 to 10 could be

regarded as a sufficient preponderance for British naval strength as a

whole above that of the next strongest naval Power. Even if we possessed an Army two-thirds as strong as that of the strongest
military
is

Power we could not agree

limited.

to that.

The statement

make

much more

Superiority in Pre-Dreadnoughts.

We are
era,

able for the present to adhere to so moderate a standard

because of our great superiority in vessels of the pre-Dreadnought

among which the eight King Edwards and at least eight of the armoured cruisers are quite unmatched among contemporary ships. As
of

these vessels gradually decline in relative fighting value our ratio

would have to rise above the 60 per cent, Every addition which Germany makes or may make to the new ships she lays down each year must accelerate the decline in the relative fighting value of our pre-Dreadnoughts, and therefore
construction
standard.
requires special measures on our part.

new

Meeting German Construction,

Applying the standard I have outlined to the House that is to two sliips a year for the next six years, because that is what

say,

FIRST LORD'S SPEECH.

the

419
GO per cent, to the

law prescribes

applying

lhi.s

standard

oi"

existing

Law, and guarding ourselves very carefully against developments in other countries which cannot now be foreseen, it would appear to be necessary to construct for the next six years
ISTavy

German

four ships and

three ships in alternate years, beginning this year

is

with

four.

That

a little above the 60 per cent, standard

it

is

really over 17 ships to 10

but that

is

the least that will maintain

the 60 per cent, standard. That is what we had in our minds when we framed the Estimates now presented to the House of Commons. If we are now, as it would seem, and I fear is certain, to be confronted with an addition of two ships to the German construction
in the next six years
six years,

two Dreadnoughts two ships spread over the

of

we should propose to meet that addition on a higher ratio superiority by laying down four ships in the same period, spreading
If

them, however, conveniently over the six years so as to secure the

greatest evenness in our finances.

we

are confronted with three

ships additional,
forecast of

we should

lay

down

six over those years,

and the
four,
;

new

construction which I

now make vmder

five
;

all reserve
;

would become
four
;

four,

beginning with this year,

three were laid

four, foui'
;

as against the

German construction of
if

two, three
five,

two, two

and
in

three, two.

Alternatively,

down by Germany
four
;

the six years our construction would become

five,

four

and

five, four,

an alternation of

fives

and

fours, as against the

German

alternation of threes

and twos.

A
stances.

Varying Principle.
be varied to suit the circumcertain
limits

It is clear that this principle could

Let

me make
German

it

clear,

however, that any retardation or

within
it

reduction in

construction

will

be

promptly followed here, as soon as

proportionate reduction.

is

apparent, by large and fully

For instance, if Germany likes to drop out any one, or even any two, of tliese annual quotas, and keep the money in her own pocket for the enjoyment of her own people and for the development of her own prosperity, we will at once, in the absence of any dangerous development elsewhere and not now foreseen, drop
out our corresponding quota.
" within certain

All slowing

down by Germany
us.
I

will be
to

accompanied naturally on our larger scale by

limits," because, of course, both

have

say

Great Britain and

at

Germany have
Powers, though

to consider,
ilie

among

other things, the building of other

is

lead of both those countries

present very

considerable over any other

Power

besides each other.

Take

as

an

instance of this proposition which I

consideration, the year
11)1 o.

am

putting forward for general

I

in that year, as

apprehend,

Germany

2 K 2

420

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

and
it

will build three capital ships,

five in

will

l)e

necessary for us to build

consequence.

The Book of Misunderstanding.

Supposing we were both to take a holiday
supposing
year, she
for that

year,

and

we both introduced
;

a blank page into the book of mis-

understanding

supposing that

Germany were
six

would save herself between

to build no ships that and seven millions sterling.

But that is not all.

ships until

In ordinary circumstances
started hers.

we should

not begin our

Germany had

The three ships that she did

That
is

not build would therefore automatically wipe out no fewer than five
British potential super-Dreadnoughts.

more than

expect

they could hope to do in a brilliant naval action.

As

to the indirect

results within a single year, they simply cannot be measured, not only

between our two great brother nations, but to

are results immeasurable in their hope

all

the world.

They
is

and brightness.

This, then,

Germans will be no gainers so far as naval power is concerned over us by any increases they may make, and no losers on the basis I have laid down by any diminution,
the position which

we take up

that the

A
Here, then,
is

Perfectly Simple Plan.

and simple plan and arrangement whereby, without any diplomatic negotiations, without any bargaining, without the slightest restriction on the sovereign freedom of either Power, this keen and costly naval rivalry can at any time be abated.
a perfectly plain
It is better, I

am

sure, to

put

it

quite frankly, for the Parliaments

and peoples to judge for themselves. As to the minor vessels in the new programme, I must say a few words. The programme of minor vessels is strictly within the limits of the normal expenditure on this class on ships.

New

Torpedoes and Submarines.

no time in pressing forward their
before

We
thought

ask the House to sanction the building of 20 torpedo-boat

destroyers,

and

to enable us to lose

construction.
it

Upon

the information

me

in

December

proper to send out tenders for the whole

flotilla of this

year, feeling confident that

the time came.

Parliament would approve them when The tenders have been received, their examination
ago,

was completed a few days

necessary authority.
their

and we shall be able

to allocate the

vessels for immediate construction as soon as the

House

gives us the

Provision has been

made

in the Estimate for

immediate and continuous construction.

this

We

are asking about

700,000

year for the construction of submarines.

We

do not

propose to state the number, because that would indicate with

FIRST LORD'S SPEECH.

421

unnecessary precision the type that these vessels would assume. Submarines are in a state of transition. We liave in submarines an

ample preponderance, and we can afford to lie back moment, so as to secure the very latest developments.

till

the last

Small Ckuisers.
The only novel feature in the minor programme is the small If we had repeated the programme of recent years we sliould have built four Chathams, about 5400 tons, and one Blonde. We have been considering, however, the cruiser problem as a whole. We observed that the Chathams grew larger each year, and that they did not end the rivalry of type, but approached ever more This would be closely to the armoured class of 10 or 15 years ago. a very expensive development if it were to continue, and we are by no means satisfied that it is a development based on a sound appreciation of naval tactics. Numbers, also, are very important in this sphere, and we propose, therefore, to hark back to smaller vessels and to build eight of these new light-armoured cruisers instead of the four Chathams and Blonde type which have hitherto figured in our programmes. I do not think the House will wish me to go too much into detail about the dimensions and qualities of They are described as light-armoured cruisers, and these vessels. they will in fact be the smallest, cheapest, and fastest vessels, protected by vertical armour, ever projected for the British Navy. They are designed for attendance on the Battle Fleet. They are designed to be its eyes and ears by night and day to watch over it in movement and at rest. They will be strong enough and fast enough to overhaul and cut down any torpedo-boat destroyer afloat, and generally they will be available for the purposes of observation and
cruisers.
;

reconnaissance.

Docks, Oil, and Aviation.

I

have dealt with the programme

for the year,

and before

come
which

to the important ([uestions connected with the establishment,

we should
to

maintain, there are four topics connected with shipbuilding

must refer docks, oil, aviation, and shipbuilding capacity. The dockmg accommodation availal)le for the Fleet, actual and prospective, is not unsatisfactory. Indeed, I may say I was very
which
I

agreeably surprised by an impiiry I undertook into

at the present time nine docks

it.

We

possess

which cum take

bi;

luvincibles. Lord

Nelsons, and

all earlier

ships; and five of tliese arc suitable for our

late3t battleships.

In a few months there will

shijjs

two

fiouting

docks

capalde of takiug the largest size of

tiiese

which exist at
in
th(^

jtresent,

and
the

two Moating docks

will

bo

jtul, oiui

Mcdway and

422
other
possibly
at

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Portsmouth.

Early next year there will be a

new
at
five

lock ready at Portsmouth, another also of the largest size will

be ready in January, 1914.

In 1916 the three docks and the lock

Eosyth

-will be available. private docks wide enough to contain

in all
in course of construction.

four

Meanwhile, there are

tlie

largest vessel,

and

two others now

That
is,

In addition to the above

there are four others which will take in vessels of the Invincible class.
in the opinion of the Admiralty, sufficient provision for our

needs at the present time.

The question

is

being considered carefully

whether, pending the completion of the docks at Eosytli, one of our

floating docks when ready should not be towed to Crom'arty and used there as a subsidiary base with floating workshops, pending tlie

creation of the large base

which

is

being developed on the North-

East Coast.

Further provision for docks will be necessary in 1916 or

is

before 1920, for

But there
future.

we have to look four years ahead in regard to docks. no cause for anxiety or complaint in the immediate

The Advantages of

Oil.

The adoption and supply of oil as a motive power raises anxious and perplexing problems. In fact, I think they are among the most difficult with which the Admiralty have ever been confronted. Oil
as a fuel offers

enormous advantages

to

ships

of all

kinds,

and

particularly to the smallest kind.

liness, in

In speed, in convenience, in cleanoil is

economy, and in the reduction of personnel,

If internal

incon-

testably superior to coal.

combustion engines of

sufficient

power
for

to drive warships can be perfected, as

all

may,

I think, be

hoped

within a very reasonable time,

the advantages of oil will be

multiplied, and
over.

some

of

them

will be multiplied three or four times

On

the

other

hand, can

we make

sure of obtaining

full

supplies of oil at reasonable prices in time of peace, and without

restriction or interference in time of

store a sufficient reserve of oil to

war ? Can we accumulate and meet our ever-growing requirements ?

these matters are receiving our

Can we make

that reserve properly protected against attack, either

?

by aeroplanes or sabotage
continuous attention.

All

Aviation.

So much has been said in the Army debates during the last few days upon the subject of aviation that only a passing reference to the naval aspect is now required. Early in November my right hon.

War and I agreed that the War Office and the Admiralty should work together as far as possible in the development
friend the Secretary for

FIEST LORD'S SPEECH.

of this vital and important

423

new

service.

sub-committee of the

Committee of Imperial Defence was set up, which, under the guidance of the Under-Secretary for War, lias produced a bold, far-reaching, The Admiralty is very much and carefully-considered scheme.
indebted to

my

right hon. friend for the service he has rendered in

have now acquired some land at Eastchurch, adjoining that of the Eoyal Aero Club, who courteously gave us
this connexion.

We

the

use of their
for a

aerodrome for

flying

purposes.

The buildings

and sheds

Naval Aviation School are

in course of erection.

number of aeroplanes both for training and experimental purposes liave been purchased, principally in England, and some of them are being adapted for the special needs of the Navy. We do
considerable

not require in the

as in the
aviators,

Navy

Army. and we
can

We

to develop aviation on the same great scale have already a certain number of good naval

are going to increase

them

as rapidly as possible.
flights

hope

it

will not be

many months
attached
for

before regular

of naval

aeroplanes

be

ordinary service

to

the various

squadrons and commands of the fleets. I can assure the House that the greatest importance is attached by us to a thoroughly good and effective development of this service, and money shall not stand in
the

way
Mr. Mr.

of

any necessary

steps.

LEE

(Hants, Fareham, 0pp.)

How much

CHUPtCHILL. We
much
as

year as

we think we can spend.

have taken in the Estimates of this Although there is no

money taken
is

in the Estimates for the purchase of dirigible balloons

it ought not to be supposed that that subject engaging unremitting attention, especially the latest

or dirigible airships,

not also

developments.

Our Shipbuilding EesoUrces.

Lastly, the

House
feel

is

entitled to be relieved of

members may

in regard to the expansive

It is

building resources of the country.

any anxieties which power of the shipnot possible to say whether

do.
it is also true,

our most prominent competitors can build as fast as we

certain
is

so, and and equip great ships each year, and we can continue that process year after year upon a scale largely in advance of any other single Power, according to its present

that they do not in practice do

What is 1 am

pleased to say, that

we can

build, arm,

resources.

The House may take

it

for

certain that there

is

abso-

lutely no danger of our being overtaken unless

of policy to be so.

we

decide as a matter

Now

leave

new

construction

and

turn

to

establishment.

424

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Margins of Safety.

Upon the establishraent of ships maintained in full commission and upon the number of active service ratings actually permanently available depends our immediate readiness for war. The growing strength of foreign navies, and the increases, actual and prospective, upon which we must reckon in their j^^rsojinel, make it now necessary somewhat to strengthen the force which we keep constantly ready for immediate service in Home waters. I do not think it would be
particularly useful at this juncture for

me

to

enter into detailed

available

comparisons between the force which

we keep immediately

and the forces which are at the disposal of various foreign Powers, and I hope I shall not be pressed to do so. I would prefer to pursue
the general argument.

We
is

asked Parliament to assent to large

margins of

safety.

That

not because we do not believe our Fleet,

man
and

would not acquit itself with credit King and country. There is, however, a very practical reason which any layman can understand. We stand as a nation upon the defensive. It is inconceivable that we should make a surprise attack upon Germany or any other European
for

man, and ship

for ship,

to

the satisfaction of

Apart altogether from the moral aspect, which I am not what would be the use of it ? We have no means of following up sucli an attack, even if it were successful, and no
Power.

now

discussing,

means

of bringing the

war
the
is

to a

speedy conclusion.

Therefore, I say,

we

are

relegated

to

defensive.

This entails certain obvious

consequences.

There

a considerable difference between the

of ships which are available any day taken at

number random throughout the

year and by chance, and the number which could be got ready for a

marked out in advance. For instance, if the House of Commons sent a Committee down to Portsmouth to-night, and orders were given to mobilise all the ships in the harbour, we could produce a certain number. If, however, we were told privately beforehand that the Committee were going down to sec how many
particular date or period

ships

we

could turn out at short notice, say, on April

or
is

May

1,

we

could produce from 25 to 30 per cent. more.

That

a very

It is a fact which important fact which any one can appreciate. sufficient margin to be able to a have us to for makes it necessary

any moment the naval force of an attacking Power at their selected moment.

meet

at

Ouii Peculiar Position.

The second reason why we must have an ample margin

they would be to

is

that

the consequences of defeat at sea are very mucli greater to us than

Germany

or to

France.

There

is

no similarity

FIRST LORD'S SPEECH.

between our naval needs and those
mentioned.
of

425
I

the two countries

have

no parity of risks. Our position is highly artificial. We are fed from the sea we are an unarmed people we possess a very small Army, and we are the only Power in Europe We cannot menace the which does not possess a large army. independence or the vital interests of any great Continental State. We cannot invade any Continental State. We do not wish to do so, These but even if we had the wish, we have not got the power.
There
is
; ;

which justify British naval supremacy in the face of the any single nation were able to back the strongest fleet with an overwhelming army, the whole world would be in jeopardy, and a catastrophe would swiftly occur. People talk of the proportion which the navies of different countries should bear to the commercial interests of the different nations, and the proportion of France, the proportion of Italy, the But proportion of Germany to their respective mercantile marines.
are facts

world.

If ever

when we

consider our naval strength

we

are not thinking of our

commerce, but of our freedom.

but of our
lives.

We

are not thinking of our trade,

Nothing, of course, can

make

us absolutely safe

against combinations which the imagination can

summon

up.

We

have faced combinations over and over again in the past, and sometimes heavy odds, but we must never conduct our affairs so that the navy of any single Power would be able to engage us at any single

moment
first

even

our least favourable

If this
is
!

moment

with

any reasonable

prospect of success.

" insular arrogance," it is also the I

condition of our existence

am

glad to be able to assure the

House
to

that no difficulty will be experienced in

making arrangements

maintain our relative position in the near future, and to secure as quickly as we need them adequate margins of safety. I am glad
also

that these measures will not involve

any excessive or disproto

is

portionate expense.

We

should not, of course, require to build any

I

more ships other than those

have referred

under the head of

to bring up, as

New

Construction.
it,

All we should need to do

we

require

and no sooner, a larger portion of our existing Fleet into a

higher status of commission, and consequently of greater readiness.

IiEOHfiANISATION OF THE FlEET.

We
Under

propose at the present time, in view of the increases which

tiie

are in ])rogress, to recast completely the organisation of

Fleet.

the

new

organisation the ships available for

Home

defence

will be divided into the First, Second,

and Third

Fleets.

Tlie

whole

three Fleets will comprise eight battle squadrons of eight battleships

each, together with
their attendant cruiser s([uadn>ns, flotillas,

and

426
all

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

auxiliaries.

Each of these three Fleets

will represent a distinct

administrative status and standard of commission.

The

First Fleet

will comprise four battle squadrons of fully commissioned ships, with

a Fleet flagship.
the

The

battleships of the First

and Second Divisions of

Home

Fleet will become the First and Second Battle Squadrons.

The Atlantic Fleet will be based on Home ports instead of Gibraltar, and will become the Third Battle Squadron. During the course of the
present year, as

squadron, which
eight
;

new vessels join the Fleet at the top now consists of six battleships, will

of the

list,

this

be increased to

so that the Fourth Battle

Squadron formed of battleships now

in the Mediterranean will step into the place of the Atlantic Fleet

and be based on Gibraltar, raised ultimately and if necessary to a The Fourth Battle Squadron will from its strategic position at Gibraltar be able to give immediate assistance in
strength of eight ships.

Home
will

waters or in the Mediterranean should naval combinations in

Its

that area render its presence necessary or useful.

l)e

movements

These four squadrons will constitute the First Fleet. The Second Fleet will be composed of two battle squadrons, with their attendant cruiser squadrons on what is
called the existing Third Division scale.
this scale cost practically as

regulated by the main situation.

The ships maintained on

each year as ships in full

much

to

man

commission.

always provided.

They have a full complement of active service ratings They do not require any mobilisation reserve
life.

which

is

in civil

Half their crews, including a large proportion

;

of special ratings, are always on board

the

other half, roughly

speaking, are in the schools and barracks on shore, going through the
courses of instruction, and the regular circulation of which
to
is

essential

the good organisation and training

of the

Navy.

hope the scale

will

with nucleus crews.

provided.
of instruction

not be underrated because they are called vessels maintained They are vessels with full crews constantly

The system has been adopted in order that the courses may be performed, and that the active service ratings
afloat.

may have

in rotation a fair share of time on shore instead of always

being engaged on service

There

is

one serious defect which

appears to attach to the Third Division compared with full-com-

missioned vessels.

It is possible that they

might be cruising away

from their

Home

ports with half nucleus crews on board, and

tlie

when
ports
;

the emergency came, they would have to go back to

Home

and to take on the rest of the crew in the schools and barracks in year be caused times the at certain might delay some consequently
in their readiness for active service.
It

may

be two or three days.

We

propose to reduce the defect by the following arrangement. At propose present the Third Division consists of eleven battleships.

We

FIRST LORD'S SPEECH.

427

to raise the number to sixteen, and to divide them into the Fifth and Sixth Battle Squadrons forming the Second Fleet. The movements of the Fleet will be arranged so that one of these two battle squadrons will be always present in Home ports, and ready to move

as soon as

steam can be

condition.

The other will usually be in that raised. The division of the Second Fleet into two battle squadrons
but the
full

will take place at once,

strength of these squadrons will

not be realised

for several years

unless circumstances render the

acceleration of the process necessary.

When

the process

is

complete,

the Fu'st and Second Fleets will

comprise forty-nine battleships

available at the shortest notice, completely

active service ratings of the Navy.
pleted,

manned with

the regular
is

By

the time this

work

comi.e.,

we may expect
will possess

that

the next strongest naval

Power,

Germany,

twenty-nine battleships ready immediately

full per-

without mobilisation for war, of which twenty-five will be in

manent commission.
in full

At present we have only twenty-two

battleships

commission in
necessary

Home
;

waters, even including the Atlantic Fleet.

It is clear in

view of these developments that a large expansion on

our part

is

and

hope that the House will

realise the full

to take to give

scope and the simplicity of the measures

we propose

us the power we shall need. The Third Fleet will also consist of two battle squadrons together with the remaining four cruiser squadrons. It will be manned on the present Fourth Division scale by reduced nucleus crews and on mobilisation there will be added
;

an additional proportion of active service ratings, and the rest of the

ships'

complement
life.

will be

made up from
is

the mobilisation reserves

now

in ci\il

proclamation

required in due form before

entirety,

and although every effort will be made to accelerate the process of mobilisation, a few days' delay will be inevitable before the Third Fleet can be ready
the Tliird Fleet can proceed to sea in
its

for sea.

New
With

Class of Fleet Reserve.

the view of securing, at any rate, a portion of this Fleet on

an emergency and at very short notice, we propose to institute and develop a new class of Royal Fleet Reserve to be called " the

Immediate Reserve."
will consist of about

This

force, wliich will

be limited at present,

5000 men.

It will be

composed of men who

in

volunteer for this special service, receiving a shilling a day instead

of sixpence,

and

liable to be called out

to serve

an emergency

without the need of gener.il mobilisation.

liave l)eeu

From

the inquiries

we

making we have reasuu

to bclicivc that a

very considerable

428
proportion of the

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

men
of the Eoyal Fleet Eeserve will be willing to

give us their services.

They have

all

served in the

Navy from

five to

ten years
position.

they are

men

of the highest character

large proportion of these

men

will be

and of substantial drawn from those

Government employment in the dockyards, post and elsewhere. It will be necessary, in order that real efficiency may be secured to tlie ships manned by this proportion of the Eeserve, that the Immediate Eeserve should pass
are already in
fire

who

office,

brigades,

through twenty-eight days' training each year on the actual ships

on board of which they will serve on mobilisation.

not be a large pool of Eeserve

men who

are sent

the Fleet according to the needs of any particular

will

They will anyhow through mobilisation. They

They
will

know

exactly what ship they will be allocated to in war, and on

that ship they will serve their twenty- eight days' training.

know what gun

they will serve.
is

or torpedo tube they will serve

at,

and with

whom

In future the Coast-guard, one of the prizes which

to sailors, will be confined to

offered

by the British Government

men who have

given this special service in the Immediate Eeserve.

We

shall have to rely

is

on the patriotism of the employers.

to facilitate the

Not a

very large number

received,

involved, but very satisfactory replies have been

showing a desire

so necessary to the Service.

development of a Eeserve Arrangements will be made, if necessary

and if it is desired, through the labour exchanges to provide suitable and competent substitutes during the time that the Eeserve men are doing their annual training. The Immediate Eeserve men will enable us to mobilise and man the Seventh Battle Squadron and
another cruiser squadron at short notice
present Fourth Division scale.
will only apply to the
;

and we expect the standard

scale

of efficiency of the two squadrons will be far above the ships of the

The present Fourth Division

Eighth Battle Squadron, which will consist of

"VVe

the oldest ships

we

have.

do not propose to provide crews for

it

the Eighth Battle Squadron unless

better class of ships filter
of the
list.

becomes necessary, and until a

ships joining at the top

down through new

which no crews are provided will be into material Eeserve, care being taken to keep them in passed the readiness so as to replace ships lost in action but whose crews are Thus we estimate for the saved when the vessel is destroyed.
vessels for

The

purpose of comparison a total mobilised

fleet

of fifty-seven,

or

if

necessary sixty-five, battleships, compared with thirty-eight of the

This proportion of fifty-seven to thirty-eight next naval Power. would not be sufficient if numbers were the only test or measure of naval superiority but it must be remembered that our superiority ship for ship can be traced all down the line, and it is very important
;

FIRST LORD'S SPEECH.

429

when

tlie

older classes of vessels are concerned.

As

wliat
it

may
l)e

call the "

Dreadnoughtisation " of other navies progresses,

will

necessary to raise not merely the quality but the scale of our

fleets,

and the new organisation I have unfolded would lend itself rapidly to further requirements. It would be easy simply to increase the squadrons
from eight
to nine or ten ships.

Let

me

repeat, however, that, just

as in the case of

new

building,

we

shall proceed in the

development

and perfection of this new organization step by step as may be necessary, and the rate of our development will be slowed down if we are convinced that a corresponding retardation has begun elsewhere.

Destroyer Flotillas.

With

regard to the flotillas of torpedo-boat destroyers,

it

will also

Seventh twenty destroyers this year. form an Eighth Flotilla next year, and it may be that we shall have to form These flotillas will be formed simply by a Ninth Flotilla in 1915. maintaining the older vessels in commission witli nucleus crews
be necessary to
Flotilla of

make some

expansion.

We are forming a We should propose to

instead of striking

them

off

as

new

destroyers of each year

flotillas,

are

commissioned.
institute a

In connexion with the

new command.

At present
They
are

three

we propose to flotillas manned by

nucleus crews, and certain submarines are provisionally assigned to

the duties of coast defence.

Vice-admiral commanding the Third Division.

better training in peace,
it is

now under the control of the With a view to their

placed under a special admiral.

through this

officer

necessary they should be In war they Mdll be controlled directly from the Admiralty, so as to enable

now thought

the Battle Fleet or fleets to operate with the utmost freedom and
confine themselves to the prime business of defeating the enemy's

Battle Fleet, without Ijeing diverted from that task by the necessity

from any minor raid or descent, whether naval or military. The officer in charge of this new command
of protecting the
Jiritish

coasts

Admiral of Patrols," and, of course, the vessels which I have indicated as being in the forefront of their most obvious duties. As I have already told the House, the immediate cost of these
at his disposal will be available for all purposes besides those

will be called the "

measures will not be great, thougli the charges will gradually augment and will be recurring. The principal item of increase is the personnel.

The rate of increase in Germany under the existing Navy Law is This year they have added 3712 men. 3500 men a year. Against that we are asking now I think the House will believe with great moderation for no more tiian 2000 men increase on the average.

430

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

which means that we can veoruit up to 3000 more by the end of the If there are any additional increases elsewhere we shall find year. it necessary, in order to man the war Fleets at the various dates in the future and to develop the Fleet organisation, to ask a substantial
addition immediately.

More Commissioned

Officers.

After the House has listened to these important proposals, a very

few sentences will suffice to explain certain subsidiary points which It takes a long time to train men will be entailed by them. On the for the Navy, but it takes still longer to train officers.
other hand,
lieutenants'

we

require at once to have a substantial increase to the

list.

The pressure
is

at

the
it

present
is

time upon the

officers of the

Navy

very severe, and

not always possible to

allow them the full amount of leave to which they are entitled in the course of every year, small as it is and with the development of the
;

new Fleet

organisation this strain will, in ordinary circumstances, be

It
is

greatly increased.

therefore necessary for us to have

to

more

have them as soon as possible. We propose, therefore, to take two steps which, I hope, will commend themselves to the House and to the Service. Everyone acquainted with the Navy must have been struck by the extraordinary high

commissioned

officers,

and

and intelligence which are displayed by the These are the days when the Navy, best class of warrant should be opened more broadly Service, which is the great national The question, as the House knows, to the nation as a whole. We have thought them well over, and is fraught with difficulties. we are agreed in believing that there are no difficulties which
qualities of discipline
officer.

cannot

be,

and ought not in the public interest

to be, overcome.

We
up
is

propose, therefore, to select a considerable

officers,

number

of the
to

younger
thirty,

warrant

by yearly instalments of twenty-five

officer,

to a total of 100, possibly more, for

promotion to the rank of

After duly qualifying for

commissioned warrant
their

a rank which already exists and which

equivalent to that of sub-lieutenant.

new

duties, these officers will be appointed to ships and be

available for all executive duties of sub-lieutenants.

course, be

They

will, of

eligible for promotion, strictly according to their merits,

to the higher ranks.

officers

As, however, they will start as commissioned

some years
it is

later

than those who enter the

Navy through

the

naval colleges,

probable that the great bulk of them will retire

to

content with a career which will have carried them from bluejacket commander. If this should, in practice, be the result of our

FIRST LORD'S SPEECH.

departure Ave
shall

431

have made the necessary additiou to tlie lieutenauts' list without producing that block in promotion to the higher ranks which would otherwise be inevitable, and which would
be deeply injurious to the Service as well as unjust to the individuals. Such a block would produce aged captains and venerable admirals.

Lord

C.

Beeesford
:

Hear, hear.

(Laughter.)

Mr. Churchill
perhaps,

commands
still

while they are

would also prevent men reaching what are, most direct responsibility in the world in the prime of their manhood, and, otherwise, it
It

of the

would

injuriously

affect

the

efficiency

of

fighting

service.

As

number of the younger warrant officers may be thought to affect somewhat hardly the warrant officer of many years' service, it is proposed to concede to them what they
the promotion of a
to the

have so long desired, namely, promotion

warrant
after

rank

of

commissioned
instead of
fit
;

officer after fifteen years' service as

warrant

officer,

some twenty
there
are

years, as

now, provided they are found

so

two careers which the warrant officer can embark on, one of which will lead to promotion after fifteen years' service to a commission and probably employment on shore, and the other of which will carry with it much speedier promotion as warrant officers and continuous employment on fully-commissioned ships. The details of this scheme are now being worked out. We have also been struck with the age and size of the senior midshipmen. I am strongly of opinion that a young gentleman of nineteen or twenty who
that
really

has been trained for six years or more exclusively for the profession
of arms, and who has qualified in every way required of him, deserves We therefore advancement to the rank of commissioned officer. propose to allow midshipmen to qualify in navigation and seamanship at tlie end of two years and four months' service as midshipmen. It is better to split up the examination into two parts instead of giving them the long and exhausting three weeks' trial they are put
to at

the

present

time.

If they are successful in qualifying

in

navigation and

seamanship,

they

will

at

once

be promoted to

the rank of acting sub-lieutenant and be available for all the duties
of that rank.

remaining

subjcicts of their

Eight months later they will have to pass in the course, and then receive their regular

commission as sub-lieutenants.

Continuous Com.missions.

We
two

propose to

make

a change forthwith in the system which

(jf

now

regulates the commissioning

years'

ships.

Under

the present system of

to

commissions the Admiialiy has sought

keep the captain,

432
officers,

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

and men of a ship's company together if possible without any changes for the whole period of the two years. This is not,
Death,
illness, retirement,

however, possible in practice.

courses of instruction, are

promotion,

the necessity for qualifying or requalifying in the evermore numerous

always producing large and inevitable

changes even during the short period of a two years' commission.

the other hand, there
a serious waste of
live ship every
is

On

a grave loss in efficiency and war power and

effort

human

involved in the process of killing the

officers and crews far and wide and deliberately destroying the efficiency as a fighting ship,

two

years,

by dispersing

which has

been

gained

with so

much

trouble

and has now

to

be started afresh next morning under a completely

new

regime.

We

have come to the conclusion that it is far better to keep continuously in commission at the same high level of efficiency and we therefore propose to revert to the system of continuous commissions which was in force before the two years' commissions were introduced, but to effect the changes in personnel
the ship
;

more systematically and

tinuous commission
will
to

at regular intervals.

The system
ships

of con-

be

extended to

nucleus crews.

Up

now

these ships

manned with have not only had to make

all

themselves
eight

efficient

with half a crew instead of a whole one, but

they have had to hand over these nucleus crews on an average every

months

to a fully

manned

ship

about to recommission and

of course be applied to

to start afresh themselves

with a new half crew selected from the

barracks and schools.

The system cannot

ships on foreign stations, nor to torpedo craft in

Home

waters.

Three-

year commissions will therefore be adoj)ted on foreign stations and

two-year commissions will remain in force for torpedo

craft.

Subjects of Inquiry.
Three inquiries into very important subjects of naval administration have been, or are being, held at the present time.

The

first

has been into the gunnery of the Fleet and

training

into the methods of

and testing the officers and men in this supreme and paramount service. That inquiry is now completed, and the
results

are
as

being

carefully

weighed.

It

has been a conference

an inquiry at which a sea-going officers have been present.

as

well

large

number
House
if

of
I

the

best

It is possible
to

may have
practice

to

make

slightly

larger

request

the

for
is

ammunition, and

I shall

not hesitate to do so

that

necessary.

second inquiry which

is

to be instituted will deal with the

whole

I system of the entry and education of cadets and midshipmen. must make it clear, however, that this inquiry implies no departure

FIRST LORD'S SPEECH.

from or reversal of the policy of naval training instituted
but rather
is

4'''''

in 1902.

calculated to give full effect to

it.

The House

will

be glad to learn that Sir Eeginald Custance has accepted

invitation
its

my

to

preside

over this committee, which will

Thirdly, the time has

labours at once.

be a full inquiry into

are

commence come when there must the system of summary punishments which
their

now

in force, including

consequential effects as regards

It
is

pay, position, badges,

tlie

and pension.
that

of

high importance to

interests of the

Navy
so

the system of punishment should

as

be physically and morally

that
it

beneficial

well
to

as

corrective,

should be
is

devised in regard

offences

where

and no

dishonour

involved as not to

wound

the self-respect of lighting

men.

The General Principle of Administration.

hope the House will discern from the account I have given the of naval administration to which we adhere homogeneity of squadrons, simplicity of types and classes, modernity of material, concentration in the decisive theatres, constant and
I

general principle

instant

readiness for war, reliance

all,

speed, and, above

pride of our race,

service

upon gun-power, reliance upon upon 136,000 officers and seamen, the bred from their boyhood up to the permanent
reliance

of the sea. of

House
to say.

Commons

These are the principles which we ask the to approve. For the rest I have only a word
of the nations of

The spectacle which the naval armaments

and the wonder
of

Christendom afford at the present time will no doubt excite the

curiosity
all

future generations.
as
if

Here are seen

pro-

the polite

peoples of the world,

moved by spontaneous

impulse, devoting every year an

the

immense and ever-growing

military

portion of their wealth, their manhood, and their scientific knowledge

to

construction

of

gigantic
created,

machinery

which

is

obsolescent as soon as

it is

which

falls to pieces almost as

put together, which has to be continually renewed and replenished on an ever larger scale, which drains the coffers of every
soon as
it is

Government, wliich denies and stints the needs of every people, and which is intended to be a means of protection against dangers which
tlie mutual fears and suspicions The most hopeful interpretation which can be placed upon this strange phenomenon is that naval and military rivalries are the modern substitute for what in earlier ages would have been actual wars, and just as credit transactions have in the present day so largely superseded cash payments, so the jealousies and disputes of nations are more and more decided by the mere possession of war

perhaps have no other origin than in

of

men.

2 F

434

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

power without the necessity for its actual employment. If that were true, the grand folly of the twentieth century might be found to wear a less unamiable aspect. Still, we cannot conceal from ourselves the
fact that

we

live in

an age of incipient violence and strong and deeputility of

seated unrest.
cases

The

war even

to the victor

may

in

most

be an illusion.
ever

Certainly all

wars of every kind will be

any positive advantage to the British Empire, but war it comes, will not be an illusion even a single bullet will be found real enough. The Admiralty must leave to others tlie task of mending the times in which we live, and confine themselves to the more limited and more simple duty of making quite sure that, whatever the times may be, our island and its people will come
destitute of
itself, if
;

safely through them.

GUNLAYERS' TESTS.
Fleet, 1902-1911.

435

Eesult of Test of Gunlayers with Heavy Guns in His Majesty's

436
previous

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Comparison

year.

witli

O
> <

O
o
w

H
o
H P TO w

NAVY GUNNERY.
OOO

437

438
2.2

THE NAYAL ANNUAL.

to

ft

w m pa w

O
en

H
o

H w

H
CO

NAVY GUNNERY.
(M(M<MCO
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430

VOiHCOCO

r-ICN-^CO-^lOCOiHCMCOiH

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COCOr-IOC^'HCO

440
^
^

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

<0
r-i

<M (M tH Cq CO tH CO rH 05 CO

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Ti*

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05CDCOCOOit--*05CD'H

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NAVY GUNNERY.
WrHCOOSiH
4(imTliH
<M iH O D Oi O 00 O 00 00 05 t-

441
3 CO

CM

OmO

O CD

CO
<N

05 05

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00 0 OS CJ

O O CN >0 t- t- t- 03 t- t- * iH 05 p
1-1

CTOJ

OT

(N iH OT CO (M <M <M cq CO CO CO

<M

t-l

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442
.--H

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Cq
!3 C3

rfi Co

" t^

t0 1.-t~>OTH CNOi-I<Mt-(

COOOt-H

Ot-(CN COCOlO CqOQlO

rHlO CN(M
lO <M

r-lTjlTtH

tH

C5CO

Ot~TH
tHtHC^
-^(M .t~<N
'

(MCNC-I
CD CM -^ O-OO cq

tH M CO cq

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C>
Tt(t~
T-t

05 CO

05:0-*0>0
(M

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t-.
CO to

O CM CT ^ O CO CO tH

* 01
cq

cqo3-^cDco
lO

05 t- 02 t~ CO

O <M 0 0 CO O 00-*^
rH CO tH

tH OI

eoQO

t- CO O ococo lO CO

* oq
Al

cooo
(M 4n

-^ C>

0 U3 CO
tH Cq Oq

cocooi

>0 CO

pJ

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i-^l

cJ

fl

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-^

'r-o

p4

^SE^t-s'hs'Hs"

d^i-i
GO cq

^
01

dK6 ^
-* 00 cq 10

1-iPP

i-j"iij<<j

fri

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CO rM rH tH OS tH CO t- t- 0 rH 00

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rt

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NAVY GUNNERY.
O 00

443

444

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

hit.

Ricochet hits counting three-tenths

Not

directly comparable with 1910.

BATTLE PRACTICE.

445

Abstract of Kesults of Battle Practice in

H.M. Fleet, 1911.

The conditions of the practice differed considerably from those of former years, so that no comparison can be made.
Order
of Merit.

446

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

1911-12.

Austro-Hungarian Navy Estimates,

(Converted at 1

24 Krouen.)

Heads

of Expenditure.

FRENCH NAVY ESTIMATES,

1912.

447

French Navy Estimates,

(Converted at il

1912.

25 fmncs.)

Cap. iu
Esti-

mates,
191J.

Headi of Espenditure.

Credits voted
fur 1912.

Credits voted for 1911.

Section

I.

General Expenses of AdminidrationMaintenance of the Navy.

g'

^'
I

Admiralty Office

....
Men
;

5,

Hydrographic Department
Inspection of Administrative Services

7
8, 9,

^Navy Pay,

Officers

and

10, 11 /

ance, Officers
Justice and Police

12, 13

14

Commissariat Staff

15, 16, (Storekeeper's

Department Department

.... .... ....

Wages
.

^less Allow

Wages andl
/

Materials 17 I ..Q , /Victualling ^**'^^\ Materials

and^
/

^^^I'vlMedical and Hospitals

23
,

Coustructors' Staff

....
> . . .
.

or (ShipbuildingMainti nance and repair of '^'*'^^ Fleet; Wages / \ Qc 07 I Shipbuilding Maintenance and repair of) ^^'^' Fleet; Materials \

28

Ordnance Staff

....

oQ o^ ^^,Sl
o , QO Q
*
.'

(Guns
[

Repairs Wages (Guns Repairs

Materials
.

and and

improvements, &c.

improvements, &c.

'^"' "^^
I

\
'

>IIydraulic

and other Works

36 37
38 39 40

Administrative Staff
Travelling and lodging allowances
Charitable and subscriptions
.
.

Pay

of Reserve Officers
.

Secret Service

Section
41-15
,

II.

Mercantile Marino and Fisheries

46

PenBionB

448

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

French Navy Estimates

continued.

Cap. in
Esti-

mates,
1912.

FRENCH NAVY ESTIMATES,

1'kogra.mme of

1912.

449

New

Construction, to be continued

oii

undertaken

IN 1912.

Building in Dockyards.

(lasj.

450

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Programme of New Construction, to be continued or undertaken

IN 1912.

Building by Conti;act.

Class.

GERMAN NAVY ESTIMATES,

1912.

451

German Navy

Estimates, 1912.
=
20- i'A marhg.)

(Converted at 1

Ordinary Permanent Estimates.

Esti

mates
year

for

Granted for
the financial

Heads of Expenditure.

the Unancial

year

1912.

1911.

Imperial

Navy
Staff

Admiral

....
.

Office

115,960
17,521

Look-out Stations aud Observatories

Station Snperintendencies

Administration of Justice

Naval Chaplains and Garrison Schools

Navy Pay

Maintenance of Ships in Commission

Victualling

Clothing Garrison

.... .... ....

.

Works and Administration

Building Materials

Lodging Allowance
Medical Department

Travelling Expenses, Freight Charges, &c.

Training Establishments

Maintenance of Fleet and Docks

Ordnance and

Fortification

Accountants' Department
Pilotage, Coastguard, and Surveying Service

Miscellaneous Expenses

....
.

Administration of Eiau-cliau Protectorate

Total of Ordinary Permanent Surniuary, next page;

Estimntos

carri^'d

452

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

German Navy Estimates

c(>?z^/m<?J.

Special Okdinary Estimates.

Shipbuilding

Programme for

the

Financial Year 1912.

For

the Construction of

Battleship Oldenburg

,,

....
.

&
final

instalment
I

Kaiser (Ersatz Hildebriind)

Friedricli-der-Grosse (Ersatz Ilciiiida 11)
"

Large cruiser Goeben (H.)

Battleship Kaiserin (Ersatz Ilagen)

Ersatz

^gir

Ersatz Odiu Large cruiser (J) Small cruiser Stralsuiul (Ersatz Cormorau)
,,

.... .... .....

.

3rd instalment

230,054 367,102 367,102 252,099 440,529 440,529 440,529

416,0.55

final

instalment

Stnisburg (Ersatz Condor)

Torpedo nets

......
Wilhelm
2nd instalment
.
.

Battleship Ersatz Kurfiirst Friedrich

Ersatz Weiszenburg

S Large cruiser K Small cruiser, Efsatz Seeadler

Ersatz Geier
Ibt instalment

Brandenburg Large cruiser. Ersatz Kaiserin Augusta Small cruiser Ersatz Irene Ersatz Prinzess Wilhelm ,, Salvage Ship for sunken vessels
Battleship, Ersatz

Torpedo-boat division

....
Total

final
1st

instalment instalment
.

Submarines, construction and experiments

Alteration and improvement of battleships large cruisers ,, ,,

73,420 73,420 106,706 513,954 513,954 513,9.H 538,420 122,370 122,370 269,210 244,738 122,370 122,.370 73,420 318,160 416,055 734,216 48,948 24,474

7,906,508

Summary.
KstimatPB for ^
the fiuancial
. j ^ .v t*"^ f^l^""^^^. ["'

Heads

of Expenditure.

year

tnaucial year

1912.

1911.

Ordinary Permanent Estimates

.

8,184,392
7,907,490

8,709,135
7,906,508

New

Construction and Alterations

Armaments, Torpedoes, and Mines

* Other

items

....
Total

3,881,057
1,512.046

4,335,440
668,610

22,008,746 '21,095,932

* Jufluiling improvement of docks at Willielmshaveu, Kiel, and Dantzig, coast fortificatious aucl Oibcr buildlugs ou North Sea and Baltic coast.^. liarbonr lor small vessels at lleligolaudj tc.

ITALIAN NAVY ESTIMATES, 1912-13.

453

Italian

Navy

Estimates, 1912-13.
191:^,

Financial Year 1st July,

to 30tii June, 191:3.

lire.)

(Converted at 1

25

Heads of Expenditure.

Estimates, 1812-1913.

Kevised
Estimati's,

1911-1912.

Ordinary General Expenditure.

Admiralty
Pensions.

Expenditure on the Mercantile Marine

........ ........
Total
.

87,2^0 396,900 990,817

74,396
.346,300

for subsidies, &c.

814,096
1,234,792

1,474,957

Ordinary Expenditure for Naval Services.

General Staff of the Navy Corps of Engineers Medical Service Commissariat Service

Pay

of Officers, Gratuities, &c.

and Wages and Clothing of

Forts
,,

Perxannel
,,

Telegraph Service

Personnel Materiel

Police (Dockyards) Salaries and Travelling Expenses Barracks, Maintenance, Lighting, etc. Rents and Water Royalties

..... ..... .... ..... ..... .....

....
. .

175,600 77,200 35,600 38,400 744,920 208,000 18,480 16,000 6,880 13,600 48,400 10,400 3,000
380,001)

179,600 77,720 35,720 38,560 628,716 168,000 17,680 15,160 6,560 13,260 42,408 10,400 3,000 306,504 337,000 422,536 28,600 18,668 7,600 6,360
12,000

Men

Ships fitting out, &c. Fuel and Stores for Ships in Commission Victualling Hospital Services Naval College and Engineering School Scientific Services Personnel Mat^iel Wireless Telegraph Stations, Benadir and Eritrea, and S'chooli

...... .....
Home
.
. .

363,000 504,000 31,800 13,640 7,600 5,360

14,000
74,40(1

ofTelegrapliy.

Workshops, Fortifications, and Stores Personnel Technical Department (Civil) Personnel Naval Constructors Office Expenses and Civil Staff Law Charges Transport of Materials Works Department Repairs Plant, Machinery and Tools Reconstruction and maintenance! of Workshops / Electric Power, Fuel and Stores for Shore Establishments Materials for construction of new Ships and maintenance ofl existing Sliips Hulls, Maclnncry, and Armaments J Expenditure under law of 27th June, 1909, not relating to)

..... ...... ....

.

39,520 32,600 8,900 1,344 9,600 95,800

74,948 39,320 25,720 8,820 1,344 8,600 95,820 70,000 69,600

70,000
81,600
!, 400, 000

2.341,302
100,000

shipbuilding Kxi)enHe8 of Dockyard employees Guns, Torpedoes and Small Arms

. . .

(|

Wages and

Supernumerary Labour

in

Coast Defence Materiel Adaptation of Mercantile Auxiliaries ReHervo Fund

......

....
Dockyards

780,800 130,800
12,000 20.000

740,800 124,800 32,000 12,000 4,000 20,000

6,445,126

Total (to next page)

6,473,244

The Fkitimates for 1912 13 provide for the continuation of battleships Dante Alighieri, Conte di Cavour, Giulio Cesare, Leonardo da Yinci, and vurious aubiidiary
VCBSOls.

454

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Italian
Heads

Navy Estimates

continued.

of Expenditure.

JAPANESE NAVY ESTIMATES.

455

Japanese Navy Estimates, 1912-1913.

Financial Year, 1st April to 31st March.
(9-8

Yon taken

as

eciiial

t" 1.)

456

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Russian Navy Estimates, 1912.

Heads of Expenditure.

TURKISH NAVY ESTIMATES.

457

Turkish Navy Estimates,

Converted at 1

1911-12.

111

jiiastrcs.

'

SECTION

I.

1912.

1911.

Central Administration, Fersoxxel.

IMinister of jNIarine, Staft

Under-Secretary of State, and Chief of

Pay

of Officers and

Men

....
.
.

2,973

2,973
325,191

348,288

Civil Staff

and Junior

Foreign Officers

Naval Attaches
Officers to

..... .....
Officers

23,887
12,441

21,897

10,746
3,110 9,730
1,000

3,110
25,541

be sent to Europe, 50 in number

Officers in

European Shipbuilding Yards

Staff of

Naval School, Hade Hane Dockyard, and Nava

4,802

Hospital
Victualling

Clothing

...... ...... ......

SECTION"
II.

3,090

246,198

262,346
no, 769

57,296

Material.
^liscellancous Expenditure

11,132

8,315

Sundry Stores and Wages

Fuel and Oil

of AVorkrae

86,383
61,330 2,703

91,257
105,213

Customs

Lighthouses and
Port Dues

Timber
Repairs,

.... ....
.

2,703

l><'ac<jii.s

33,970

3,829
.34,032

3,829 4,629
41,655
2,856
32,111

4,629
41,655
2,045
97,808

New

Buildiugs, &c.

Medical Stores.
Electric and Other Machines

Miscellaneous.
Gunboats, Motor Launches, Wireless Telegraphy, Repairin
Sliji, etc.

......
.... ....
twc,
l.jittlfsliips

l.".7,907

.371,187

Instalment on Cruiser to be built by Atisuldo

Torpedoes,
I^Iines, etc.

128,992
6<;,466

Repair and ^laintonance of Dockyard

158,788
13,235

Sundry Expenditure

Total
NOTK. Tilt; Estimates. En.
iiwl

1,5 10,.'522
in

1,453,525
tlie

of

till-

lniil(liii

KukIiiihI

is

not ineliKioil In

aliovu

458

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

United States Navy Estimates, 1912-13.

(Converted at 1

$4*8665, being par, as adopted by Congreng.)

Objects of Expenditure and Appropriation.

Estimatfs fur year eoding

June

30, 1913.

459

THE DOMINION NAVIES.

The Defence Scheme as agreed upon by the Eepresentatives OF Great Britain and the Oversea Dominions, and adopted by
the Imperial Conference, 1911.

I. The naval Services and forces of the Dominions of Canada and Australia will be exclusively under the control of their respective Governments.
II. The training and discipline of the naval forces of the Dominions will be generally uniform with the training and discipline of the Fleet of the United Kingdom, and by arrangement the officers and men of the said forces will be interchangeable with those under

the control of the British Admiralty.

in.
and

The

ships of each

Dominion Naval

force will hoist at the

stern the white ensign as the

at the

Jack

staff

symbol of the authority of the Crown, the distinctive flag of the Dominion.

Canadian and Australian Governments will have their own naval stations as agreed upon from time to time. The limits of the stations are as described in Schedule A (Canada) and Schedule B
IV.
(

The

Australia).

V.

In In

the event of the Canadian or Australian

desiring to send ships to a part of

Government their outside Empire the British

Government

own

respective stations they will notify the British Admiralty.

VI.

the event of the Canadian or Australian

desiring to send ships to a foreign port they will obtain the con-

currence of the Imperial Government, in order that the necessary

arrangements with the Foreign Office

may

be made, as in the case of

ships of the British Fleet, in such time and

manner
Office.

as are usual

between the British Admiralty and the Foreign

VII.

While
to the

the ships of the Dominions are at a foreign port,

station, or to the British

a report of their proceedings will be forwarded by the officer in

command
VIII.

Commander-in-Chief on the

Admiralty.

An

officer in

command

of a

Dominion

ship, so long as

he

remains in a foreign port, will obey any instructions he

may

receive

from the Government of the United Kingdom as to the conduct of any International matters that niay arise, the Dominion Government being informed. A commanding ofUcer of a Dominion ship having
to put into a foreign port

without previous arrangement on account

460

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

of stress of weather, damage, or

his arrival

any unforeseen emergency, will report Commander-in-Chief of the station or to the Admiralty, and will obey, so long as he remains in the foreign port, any instructions he may receive from the Government of the United Kingdom as to his relations with the authorities, the Dominion Government being informed.
and reason
for calling to the

IX.

When a ship of the

British Admiralty meets a ship of the

Dominion the

senior officer will have the right of

command

in matters
is

of ceremony, of international intercourse, or

where united action

agreed upon, but will have no power to direct the

movement

of ships

of the other fService unless the ships are ordered to co-operate

by

mutual agreement.
X.

In foreign ports the senior

officer will

take command, but not

so as to interfere with orders that the junior officer

may have

received

from his own Government.

XL When
and a
sufficient

a Court-martial has to be ordered

number

of officers are not available in the

if

by a Dominion, Dominion

Service at the time, the British Admiralty,

requested, will

make

the necessary arrangements to enable a Court to be formed.

will be

Provision

made by Order

of

His Majesty in Council and the Dominion

under which the
officers of the

Governments

to define the conditions

different services are to sit

on joint Courts-martial.
to lend to the

XII.

The British Admiralty undertakes

Dominions

during the period of development of their services, under conditions

such flag officer and other officers and men as may In their selection preference shall be given to officers and men coming from or connected with the Dominion, but they
to be agreed upon,

be needed.

should

all

be volunteers to the Service.

officers of

XIII. count in

The service of

the British Fleet in the Dominion

naval forces, or of

officers of these forces in the British Fleet, will

all respects for

promotion, pay, retirement,

etc., as

service in

their respective forces.

XIV.
arise,

In

order to determine all questions of seniority that

of all officers will be

may

the

names

their seniority determined

is

and by the date of their commission, whichever

in the
List,

shown

Navy

the earlier in the British, Canadian, or Australian Services.

XV.

It is desirable in the interest of efficiency

that arrangements should be

British Admiralty and the

made from time

Dominions for any other joint training considered While so employed the necessary, under the senior naval officer.
take part in
fleet exercises, or for

and co-operation between the ships of the Dominions to

to time

>

THE DOMINION NAVIES.

ships will be under the

401

coiumaud of that

officer,

who would

not,

however, interfere in the internal economy of the ships of another

Service further than

may

be absolutely necessary.

XVI. In time of war, when the naval Service of a Dominion or any part thereof has been put at the disposal of the Imperial (jovernment by the Dominion authorities, the ships will form an integral part of the British Fleet, and will remain under the control of the British Admiralty during the continuance of the war.
Dominions having applied to their naval forces Admiralty Instructions, and the Naval Discipline Act, the British Admiralty and the Dominion Governments will communicate to each other any changes which they propose to
the

XVII.

The

King's

Eegalations,

make

in these Regulations or that Act.

Schedule

(Oaxada).

The Canadian Atlantic Station will include the waters north of 30 deg. North latitude, and west of meridian 40 deg. West longitude. The Canadian
Pacific Station

will include the waters north of

oQ deg. North latitude, and east of meridian 180 deg. longitude.

Schedule B (Austeall\).
The Australian Naval Station will include on the north from 05 deg. East longitude by parallel 13 deg. South latitude to 120 deg. East longitude, thence North to 11 deg. South latitude, thence to the boundary with Dutch New Guinea on the south coast in about longitude 141 deg. East, thence along the coast of British New Guinea to the boundary with German New Guinea in latitude 8 deg. South
thence east to 155 deg. East longitude.

On

the east by the meridian of 155 deg. East longitude to 15 deg.

to 28 deg. South latitude on the meridian of 170 deg. longitude, thence south to 32 deg. South latitude, thence west of the meridian of IGO deg. East longitude, thence south.

South latitude, thence

On On

the south by the Antarctic Circle.

the west by the meridian of 05 deg. East longitude.

462

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

THE COMMON WE ;VLTH FLEET.

THE NAVAL BOARD.
[Appendix
to

Report hj Admiral Sir Reginald Henderson^

control and administration.

Inteoductohy Eemarks.

Under

the Naval Forces Act of 1910, power is taken to constitute a Naval Board with such functions " as may be prescribed." Under

the Eegulations and Standing Orders for the Naval Forces of the

Commonwealth

at present in force, " the

Naval Board

shall, subject

to the control of the

Minister, be charged with the administration

of all matters relating to the

the Board

shall severally exercise such

duties as are from time to

Naval Forces," and " the Members of powers and perform such time assigned to them by the Minister."

The Board does

or

not,

however, appear to have'any executive authority

control

over the Naval Forces.

:

The Regulations

as

to

the

government of the Forces are " The Director and every member of the Naval Forces permanently employed shall faithfully and diligently employ the whole of their time in the service of the Commonwealth, and shall in all things obey the orders and directions of the Government." " All orders and directions of the Government with respect to the administration of the Forces shall be communicated by the

Commandants will issue the necessary orders to give The control of the Naval Forces, under present effect to them." conditions, is, therefore, exercised by the Government, i.e., the
Board, and

Minister of Defence, through the Naval Board, but the Naval Board has no powers of its own, and is merely a mouthpiece.
the Navy, there are two points to be

In considering the question of the control of a service such as met () The system must

but admit of complete Parliamentary control and responsibility as far as possible such control should in practice be restricted to matters of policy and finance, and the power of Parliament to
;

interfere in matters of detail in the

government and administration

of the
(h)

Navy

should be reserved for very exceptional circumstances.

The

controlling authority should be such as will have the full

confidence of the officers and

men

of the Service,
Officers

entrusted to

it,

and should contain Naval

whose careers are whose sole interest

THE COMMONWEALTH FLEET.

Avould be to maintain the
all its

463

Navy in an efficient state by providing for The enormous value to the Naval Service of obtaining and retaining the confidence and loyal support of the personnel to its governing body cannot be too much emphasised. In the Mother Country these two requirements are met by the appointment of a Board of Admiralty, on which there are two political members and four senior naval officers of reputation this Board is responsible as a whole for the government of the Navy, and is appointed, and
needs.
;

acts, as a single authority.

I recognise that there is great difference as regards the

between the conditions

Mother Country and the Commonwealth. In the former both the Navy and the Board of Admiralty have been established for a long period, and have stood the test of time and experience in the latter both the Navy and its controlling authority have to be created, and must necessarily be experimental.
Naval Forces
in the
'

Nevertheless, I consider that a Board

constituted

on the lines of

the Board of Admiralty, and having responsibility as a whole,

would meet the requirements of the Commonwealtli better, and would be well qualified to foster and develop the Australian Fleet. It is
essential, too, that the controlling authority in Australia should

and retain the

l)ility

have and complete confidence of the Admiralty. Ministers are here to-day and gone to-morroAv their responsifull
;

ends

M'ith their tenure of office,

whereas the Navy

years, for

is

a livinn-

which continuity It should not be within the power of the of policy is essential. (iovernment of the day, for financial or any other reasons, to take steps which may have disastrous effect at a future date on the safety of the Commonwealth, unless such steps are carried out with the full knowledge and approval of the people of Australia, who would have A Board on which senior officers of the to bear the consequences. Navy sit is not likely to suffer any such steps to be taken without
protest.

and growing organism, the creation of

In further development of this proposal, I consider that the

annual Estimates of Expenditure as framed by the Board should be signed by each Member of the Board, and be subject to alteration by Parliament alone. I have dealt rather fully with this matter, as I view it as being of paramount importance to the well-being of the

Commonwealth naval development, and

I cannot too strongly express

politics. " It

my

hope that the Navy will be kept outside party

must be

distinctly recognised that a National Force, maintained at a high standard of efficiency, can only be produced by the work of
years, and that such work must be steady and continuous; any divergence from the policy decided on may, and probably will, lead

464
to chaos

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

and useless expenditure of money." the Defence of Australia.)
(Lord Kitchener in his

Memorandum on

The Constitution of the Naval Board.

The Board recommended
1.

is

as follows

The Minister of State for Defence (or separate Naval Department be created later).
2.

for the

Navy, should a
the

First

Naval Member

(to

be a Senior Officer

of

Common-

wealth Navy, not below the rank of Captain).

3. Second Naval Member (to be a Senior Navy, not below the rank of Captain).

Officer of the Imperial

4.

Third Naval

Member

(to

be a Senior Officer of the

Common-

wealth or Imperial Navy, not below the rank of Captain).

5.

Finance and Civil

Member
is

(to

be a

Member
House

of Parliament, of

the Senate

when

the Minister

in the

of Eepresentatives,
a Senior

and vice versa, or as an alternative this Member might be Naval Accountant Otlicer or a Civilian Accountant).

With

a Permanent Secretary of the Board, I also

recommend

that this Board should have a

Naval Eepresentative

(at the outset

Navy should be selected) in London, to be attached to the staff of the High Commissicmer, to be accommodated
a Captain in the Imperial

with an

office in

the Admiralty Building, and to be allowed personal

of the Admiralty Board and to the various
;

access to the

Members

Admiralty Departments
cation between the
represent,

this officer to be the channel of communiCommonwealth Naval Board (whom he would

Home

and from whom he would receive instiTictions) and the Board of Admiralty. This officer would, in fact, represent the Commonwealth Naval Board in the same way that the High Comof,

missioner represents the

be under the orders

the

Commonwealth Government, and he would and receive the support when necessary of,

High Commissioner.

He

could be most useful in maintainin<T

uniformity between the two Boards, and in ensuring harmonious

action

when both Boards had

officer of

to

act in concert,

and in watching

generally over the naval interests of Australia.

This position should

be held later by an
of an

the

Commonwealth Navy.

Imperial Officer for 2nd Naval

Member

is

The selection recommended

for a -very
2x-i-son7iel

because the

Commonwealth
Navy, and

Fleet

is,

and must continue

considerable time to be, dependent to a great extent on the

of the Imperial
it is

desirable that such officers and

men

should

know

that they are represented by one of their

own

officers

on the Board under which they will be serving.

THE COMMONWEALTH FLEET.

Allocation of Duties,

465

The Naval Board should

under the signature of
its

act as a whole, its orders being issued

Secretary, but for matters of routine

it

would be convenient
spheres of supervision,
1.

to allocate
e.g.

to

each

Member

certain

special

The Minister.
of the

President of the Board and general supervision

in

represent Department

Parliament;

to
all

be referred to by the
questions of policy and
all senior

Member

Board concerned on
;

important matters

to represent to the
etc.

Governor in Council

appointments, commands,
2.

War preparations, Naval Intelligence, Naval Ordnance, Fleet Exercises, Manoeuvres, Gunnery and Torpedo Exercises, etc., Naval Works, advise as to senior appointments.
First

Naval Member.

3.

Second Naval Member.

Third Naval Member.

Personnel and Eeserves, Discipline,

Stores, Victualling, Medical.

4.

Construction and engineering

member

of ships,

repairs, control of
5.

Naval Dockyards and Bases.

Finance and Civil Member.

Finance, contracts, legal questions.

of the Board).

Permanent Secretary

(does not vote as a

Charge of the clerical staff, and responsible for the clerical duties of the Department, responsible for safe custody of confidential books and documents signs Board Orders " by order of the Naval Board."
;

In the case of the Board of Admiralty, under the Admiralty Act,

1832, " any two Commissioners
legal

may
(e.g.,

exercise

and execute "

all

the

powers of the Admiralty

etc.),

issue of court-martial warrants,

disciplinary orders,

and

it

obtain such legal powers for any two

would probably be convenient to Members of the Naval Board.

Dkpartmental Staff.
Under the Naval Board there would be various administrative who would be responsible to the Board as a whole, but for general work would, as a rule, deal with the particular Member concerned with the work of the Department. The following departmental heads would be required Accountant-General (Examinadepartments,
:

tion of accounts, preparation of Estimates,

etc.).

Director of Naval

Construction and Dockyards

vision of
vessels,
tiieir

(Preparation of
of

plans of ships, super-

construction,

advise
of

on

deal with repahs and alterations to dockyard requirements, and administration).

Director

Works

(Preparation

plans

for

docks,

buildings

generally, supervision of their construction, repairs, and alterations,

etc.).

Director of Stores,

Victualling,

and of Naval Contracts

2

466

THE NAVAL ANNUAL.

Director of

(Purchase and supply of Naval and Victualling Stores).

Naval Ordnance (Gunnery and Torpedo matters, including purchase and supply of materiel). The naval and clerical staff that would be required to assist the
above

One Commander as Private One Commander as Assistant to 1st Naval Member and as President of Intelligence Committee. One Clerk as Private Secretary to 1st Naval Member. One Clerk as Private Secretary to 2nd Naval Member. One Clerk as Private Secretary to 3rd Naval Member. One Clerk as Private Secretary to Finance Member. Twenty Clerks for Secretary's and other Departments.
be taken approximately
:

may

Secretary to Minister.

I would add that I consider it essential to the efficiency of the Department that the control of its staff should rest in the Department, and that the Commonwealth Public Service Commissioner should have no authority over any of them such as he now possesses. Similarly, I consider that the system under which certam expenditure on naval buildings is controlled by the Department of Home all such work should be under the Naval Affairs is unsound Department. I have not touched upon the legal difficulties that may arise as regards the control of the Commonwealth ships and their crews when
;

outside Australian waters, as I understand that

tliis

matter will be

discussed in England durinsr 1911.

PERSONNEL OF PRINCIPAL NAVIES.

4()7

y.

469

INDEX.

A.
A, Netherlands battleship, 226 178, plate 13 Abrek, 232 Acheloos, 216 Achaies, 178, plate 10 Active, 27, 186 Adamastor, 229 Admiral Makaroff, 230 Spaun, 197 Adventure, 186 Adzuma, 221, plate 53 iEger, 228 Molus, 186 Aeran, 236, plate 65 Africa, 178, plate 4 Agamemnon, 178, plate 4 Agordat, 219 Airship for British Navy, 33 Ajax, 24, 178, plate 1 Akashi, 224 Aki, 60, 221, plate 47 Akitsushima, 224 Alabama, 239, plate 74 Albany, 243 Albemarle, 178, plate 5 Albion, 178, plate 6 Alexander II., 231 Alfonso XIII., 67, 234, plate 64 Alger, 207 Almaz, 232 Almirante Condell, 200 Grau, 245

Amphion,

AbouMr,

27, 186 Amphitrite, 186 Andrea Doria, 49, 217, plate 42 Andrei Pervozvannyi, 53, 230, plate 58 Andromeda, 186 Antrim, 178, plate 11 Arcona, 212 Aretusa, 219 Argentine Republic Personnel of Navy, 62 Eeport of Minister of Marine on the Fleet, 61, 62 Ships belonging to, 194, 195 Torpedo flotilla, 62, 252 Argonaut, 186

Argyll, 178, plate 11

Ariadne (British), 186 (German), 212 Arkansas, 57, 239, plate 70

Armour and OrdnanceBritish,

269-316
hoists,

Ammunition

294-297

Anti-torpedo battery, 279 Automatic rifle, 307 Automatic submarine mines, 313-

316

Beardmore & Co.'s Ordnance Works, 311 Breech mechanism of the Vickers
15-inch gun, 274, 275 Coventry Ordnance Works, 307311 Disposition of guns in modern ships, 276-278
Distribution of armour in

Lynch, 200
O'Higgins, 200

modern

Ileis, 66, 229 Tamandarc, 199 Alphios, 216 Amalfi, 217, plate 44

Amazone, 212
Amethyst, 186 Amiral Aubc, 203, plate 30 Ammiralgio di St. Bon, 217, plate 44

ships, 280-284 " Era " steel shields, 282, 283 Fire-control positions, 288 General progress, 269 Gun mountings, 284r-288, 308, 309 Gun mountings for air-ship

attack, 303-307

Gunnory adminiRtrution,

271, 272

Gun

sighting, 289-291

470
Armour and Ordnance
British

INDEX.
Armoured Ships,
Lists of Greece, 216 Italy, 217, 218 Japan, 221, 223 Netherlands, 226

secondary 279 Landing guns, 297-300 Large calibre guns, 272-276 Ordnance Tables 342-344, 356-358 Projectiles, 291-294 Research work, 270 Torpedoes, 301-303 France, 327-332 Age limit for powder on board ship, 330 Armour-plate factories, 329
batteries, 278,

Intermediate

and

Norway, 228
Portugal, 229 Russia, 230, 231 Spain, 234

Disaster to the Liberte, 42, 329,

330

Magazine flooding, 332 Naval gunnery, 328

Ordnance, 327

Ordnance Tables, 348, 349, 359

Projectiles,

328

Germany, 333-335

Armour

Gun

protection, 334-335 erosion, 333

Life of

Krupp guns, 333 Ordnance Tables, 360

Particulars respecting

new

gmis,

333-334 Italy, 335-341 Armour-plate works, 335, 336

Gun
The

erosion, 340, 341

Ordnance Tables, 350

Vickers-Terni

Ordnance

Works, 337-340 United States, 316-327 Experimental firing

Marcos, 322, 323 Gun erosion, 317, 318 Gun mountings, 319 Ordnance, 317, 318

at the

San

Ordnance Tables, 355, 361 Powder and Projectiles, 318-319 Eemarks of the Chief of Bureau of Ordnance on the Torpedo
question, 323

The Bethlehem
320

Steel

Co.,

319-

Trials of armour-plates, 323, 327 Trials of new 4-inch guns, 320-

323

Armoured protection
280-284

in

modern

ships,

Sweden, 236 Turkey, 238 United States, 239-242 Arpad, 196, plate 17 Asahi, 221, plate 51 Asama, 221, plate 54 Askold, 232, plate 63 Aso, 221, plate 54 Aspern, 197 Assar-i-Tewfik, 238 Astraea, 186 Attentive, 186 Audacious, 24, 178, plate 1 Augsburg, 212 Aurora, 232 Australia, 31, 193 Australian Navy, 31, 193, 371, 372, 459-466 Austria-Hungary Battleships built and building, 79 Floating Dock for new battleships, 53 Increase in penonnel of Navy, 53, 467 Naval Estimates, 446 Naval Ordnance Tables, 345 Naval Programme, 51-53 Reconstruction of ships, 53 Relative strength in modern battleships, 81 Ships belonging to, 196, 197 Submarines, 53, 252 Table showing number of ships in commission and reserve, 74 Torpedo flotilla, 53, 252 Auxiliary cruisers. Lists of British, 193 France, 208 Germany, 215 Italy, 220 Russia, 233 United States, 244

Armoured

ships. Lists Argentine, 194

of
B.

Austria-Hungary, 196 BrazU, 198 British, 178-185 Chili, 200 Denmark, 202 France, 203-206 Germany, 209-211

Babenberg, 196, plate 17 Bacchante, 179, plate 13 Bahia, 199

Bai'ham, 186

Banoso,.199

INDEX.
Battleships
British, 83, 84 British and foreign
8-i
I

471

British Navy Battleships

built

and

building,

compared, 83,

79-81
during completed Battleships 1911-12, 369 in Battleships in commission European waters, 69-74 Cape of Good Hope Squadron, 76

French, 83, 84 German, 88, 84 In commission waters, 69-74 Italian, S3, 84 Japanese, 83, 84
Russian, 83, 84

in

European

Modern, relative strength

United States, Bayan, 230
83,

in, 81,

83

84

Bcllerophon, 21, 179, plate 3 Bellona, 186

Ceremonies and Visits, 373 Changes in the composition of the Fleets, 77-79, 374, 375 Coast-guard, 379 Contributions from India and the Colonies towards Naval Expenditure, 400 Cruisers comi^leted and building
in 1911-12, 369

Benbow,

25, 179 Benedetto Brin, 217, plate 43 Benjamin Constant, 199 Berk-i-Satvet, 238 Berlin, 212 Berwick, 179, plate 12

Docks capable

of

taking largest

ships, 33 Effective fighting ships, built and building, 88 Estimates for 1912-13, 34, 367-434

Birmingham (British), 27, 187 Birmingham (United States), 243

Black Prince, 179, plate 11
Blanche, 187 Blanco Encalada, 200 Blitz, 197 Blonde, 27, 187 liliicher, 209 Boadicea, 27, 187 Bobr, 232 Bogatyr, 232, plate 63 Bonifaz, 235 Bouvet, 203 Bouvines, 203, plate 28 Brandenburg, 209 Braunschweig, 209, plate 35
Brazil

Expenditure on new construction, 1, 368

Fleet auxiliaries, 30 Fleet exercises, 372 Floating Docks for Portsmouth and the INIedway, 371 Greenwich Hospital, 383 Gunnery administration, 271, 272 Gunnery practice of the Fleet,

Home

34, 435-445 Fleet, 71

Naval programme, 63 New destroyers, 253

Ships belonging
to, 198,

199

Torpedo Bremen, 212

Brennus, 203

flotilla,

253

Breslau, 46, 212 Bretagne, 41, plate 22 Brilliant, 187 Brisbane, 31, 193 liristol, 187 liritannia, 179, plate 4 British and Foreign Ordnance Tables,

342-362
British and Foreign Ships, JJsts
of,

new ships estimated to be passed into commission during the years 1911-1913, 410 Mediterranean Fleet, 73, 74 Naval Reservea, 379-381 Naval War Staff, 19, 20, 112-115, 385-390 Naval Works, 383 New construction, 34,369-371 New destroyers, 27-29, 249, i50 Ocean-going destroyers, 249, 250 Personnel, 35, 376-*378, 467 Progress of, 21-30 :\Iodern Relative Strength in Battleships, 80, 81 Reorganisation of the Fleet, 7779, 374, 375 River gunboats, 192 Royal Marines, 379 Ships completed between April 1,
List of
1911, and March 31, 1912, 369 Ships in commission in Eastern waters, 76 Ships removed from effective list, 192 Ships under construction, April 1, 1912, 369

177-246
British
Flotillas,

and Foreign 247-266

Torpedo-boat

British

Navy

Administration, 371 Airehip, 33 Atlantic Fleet, 71

472
British Navy Special service vessels, 192

INDEX.
ChiliProposed Naval programme, 63
Ships belonging
to,

Submarines, 29, 30, 89, 251 Suggestion on Naval Administration, 1-18 Table showing annual amount of naval expenditure since 1903, 90 Table showing annual amount voted for new construction since 1903, 90 Table showing expenditure on naval Service for past few years together with estimated expenditure for present year, 866 Table showing number of ships in commission and reserve, 74 Torpedo flotilla, 89, 247-250 of the Dominions, ,, J, 251 Brooklyn, 239 Bruix, 203 Budapest, 196, plate 17 Buenos Au-es, 195 Bulgaria, Ships belonging to, 245 Bulwark, 179, plate 6

Torpedo China Torpedo Chitose, 224

flotilla, 63,

200 253
201 253

Ships belonging

to,

flotilla, 64,

Chiyoda, 221 Cincinnati, 243 Claes Horn, 237 Claes Uggla, 237 Cleveland, 243 Coatit, 219 Cochrane, 179, plate 10

CoUingwood, 21, 179, plate 3 Colombia, Ships belonging to, 245

Colorado, 239, plate 75 Colossus, 21, 179, plate 2

Columbia, 243

Commonwealth,

180, plate 4

Comparative Naval Expenditure, 90 Comparative Strength of Navies, 69-82 Comparative Tables British and Foreign battleships, 83,84 British and Foreign cruisers, 85-87 Conde, 203, plate 30
Condorcet, 38, 203, plate 24 Connecticut, 239, plate 72 Conqueror, 23, 180, plate 1 Conte di Cavour, 48, 217, plate 42 Contributions from India and the Colonies towards Naval Expenditure, 400, 401 Cornwall, 180, plate 12 Cornwallis, 180, plate 5 Cosmao, 207 Courbet, 38, 203, plate 28 Crescent, 187 Cressy, 180, plate 13
Cruisers British, 85-87

Caesar, 179, plate 7 Calabria, 219 California, 239, plate 75

Cambrian, 187 Canadian Navy, 32, 193, 371, 372, 459461 Canopus, 179, plate 6 Capitao Prat, 200 Carlo Alberto, 217 Carnarvon, 179, plate 11
Carnot, 203, plate 27 Cassard, 207 Cataluna, 234 Ceara, 63, 199 Centurion, 24, 179, plate 1 Cesarevitch, 230, plate 59

Chacabuco, 200
Challenger, 187 Chao-Hao, 64, 201

and Foreign compared, 85-87 French, 85-87 German, 85-87 Italian, 85-87 Japanese, 85-87 Russian, 85-87 United States, 85-87
Bi'itish

Charlemagne, 203, plate 26 Charles Martel, 203 Charleston, 239, plate 75 Chamer, 203
Charybdis, 187 Chateaurenault, 207 Chatham, 26, 187 Chattanooga, 243 Chester, 243 Chihaya, 224

Cruising Ships, Lists of Argentine, 195 Austria Hungary, 197 Brazil, 199
British, 186-192

British Naval Reserved Merchant,

193 200 China, 201

Chili,

Denmark, 202

INDEX.
Cruising Ships, Lists of Dutch Indian Navy, 227 France, 207, 208
Disposition of guns in

473
modern
ships,

Merchant Cruisers, 208 ,, Germany, 212-214 Merchant Cruisers, 215 ,,

Greece, 216
Italy, 219,
,,

220
Cruisers, 220 Cruisers, 225

Merchant

276-278 Docks capable of taking largest ships, 33 Dominion, 180, plate 4 Dom Luiz I., 229 Don Alvaro de Bazan, 235 Dona Maria de Molina, 235 Donegal, 180, plate 12
Doris, 187 Drake, 180, plate 12 Dreadnought, 21, 180, plate 3 Dreadnought tvpe of battleship, 80, 81

Japan, 224, 225

,,

Merchant

Netherlantls, 227

Norway, 228
Portugal, 229 Eussia, 232, 233

Dresden, 212
Dristigheten, 236, plate 66

Volunteer Fleet, 233 Spain, 235 Sweden, 237 Turkey, 238 United States, 243, 244
,,

Dublin, 26, 188

Dubuque, 243

Du

Chayla, 207
i

Merchant

Cruisers,

Duilio, 49, 217, plate 42 Duke of Edinburgh, 181, plate 11 Duncan, 181, plate 5

244

Cuba
Ships belonging to, 245 Cumberland, 180, plate 12

Dunois, 207 Dupetit-Thouars, 204, plate 31 Dupleix, 204, plate 30 Dutch Indian Navy, Vessels of, 227

D.
E.

Dante

Alighicri, 48, 217, plate 42 Danton, 37, 203, plate 24

Danzig, 212
26, 187 Decidee, 207 Defence, 180, plate 10 Defence Forces of the Dominions, 193 Delaware, 59, 239, plate 71 Delhi, 25, 180 Deinocratie, 203, plate 24

Dartmouth,

Eber, 212 Eclipse, 188 Ecuador, Ships belonging Edgar, 188 Edgard Quinet, 38, 204

to,

245

Effective fighting ships, built

and build-

Denmark
Naval Ordnance Tables, 346 Programme, 64 ,, New Submarines, 254 Ships belonging to, 202 Torpedo flotilla, 64, 254 Denver, 243
D'Entrecasteaux, 207 De Ruyter, 226, plate 56 Desaix, 204, plate 30 Descartes, 207 Des Moines, 243 D'Estrces, 207 Deutschland, 209, plate 34 Devonshire, 180, plate 11 De Zeven Provincien, 226 Diadem, 187 Diamond, 187 Diana (British), 187 (llussian), 232 Diderot, 38, 204, plate 24 Dido, 187

88 Egypt, Ships belonging Eidsvold, 228, plate 56 Ekaterina II., 54, 230 Elba. 219 Elias Aquirre, 66 Ellida, 228
ing,

to,

245

Elsass, 209, plate 35

Eraanuele Filibcrto, 217, plate 44 Emden, 212 Emperador Carlos V., 234, plate 64 Empress of India, 185 Encounter, 188 ICndymion, 188 Ernest Renan, 204, plate 29i Erzherzog Ferdinand Max, 196, plate 16 Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand, 196,
plate 16

Erzherzog Friedrich, 196, plate 16 Erzherzog Karl, 196, plate 16 Esmeralda, 200, plate 20 Espaua, 66, 234, plate 64 Espora, 195
Essex, 181, plate 12

474
Etruria, 219

INDEX.
French Navy Table showing annual
voted for

Europa, 188 Eurotas, 216

Euryalus, 181, plate 13 Evertsen, 226 Evstafi, 54, 230, plate 58

amount

new

construction

Exmouth,

181, plate 5

Extremadui-a, 235

Falmoutb,

26, 188

Fearless, 27, 188

Fei-Ying, 201 Flora, 188 Florida, 57, 239, plate 71

since 1903, 90 Table showing number of ships in commission and reserve, 74 Torpedo flotilla, 41, 89, 254, 255 Freya, 212 Friant, 208 Friedrich der Grosse, 44, 209 Friedrich Karl, 209, plate 40 Friesland, 227 Frithjof, 228 Fuji, 221 Fiirst Bismarck, 209 Fuso, 60, 221 Fylgia, 236, plate 66

Foo-Ching, 201 Foresight, 188 Formidable, 181, plate 6 Forte, 188 Forward, 188 Foudre, 207 Fox, 188 France, 39, 204 Francesco Ferruccio, 217, plate 45 Frauenlob, 212

G.

G (Austrian cruiser), 52, 197 Galveston, 243 Gangut, 54, 230, plate 57 Garibaldi, 194 Gaulois, 204, plate 26
Gazelle, 212 Gefion, 212 Geier, 212 (Ersatz), 47, 212 Geiser, 202 Gelderland, 227

French Navy
Battleships built and building, 3740, 79 Battleships in commission in European waters, 71 Disaster to the Liberte, 42, 329-

332
Effective fighting ships, built and building, 88 Fleet Auxiliaries, 42

Improved Naval Administration,

36 Mediterranean Fleet, 74

Germany

General Baquedano, 200 General Belgrano, 194 General San Martin, 194 Georgia, 289, plate 73 Georgi Pobiedonosetz, 230
Battleships 79 Battleships
built

and

building,
in

Merchant cruisers
Navy), 208

(auxiliary

to

Mine laying

vessels,

208

in commission European waters, 71 Dockyards and works, 48

Naval Estimates, 447-450

Manoeuvres, 43

Ordnance Tables, 348, 349 Policy, 36-37

War

Staff,

117-120

New

Destroyers, 41

Effective fighting ships, built and building, 88 High Sea Fleet, 70, 71 Increase in personnel of Navv, 48, 467 Merchant cruisers (auxiliary to

Works

at Bizerta, 41
of

Personnel, 467

Naval

Programme
40, 449,

new

construction,
in

Navy), 215 Estimates 451, 452

for

1912,

47,

450

Belative

strength

modern

Naval War Staff, 116 Ordnance tables, 360

Progi-ess of construction, 44-47 Belative strength in modern battleships, 80, 81

battleships, 80, 81 Salvage dock for submarines, 41 Ships in commission, 70-72, 74 Submarines, 41, 89, 256 Table showing annual amount of naval expenditure since 1903, 90

Reorganisation of the Fleet, 78, 79 Shipbuilding prograuimc for 1912, 452

INDEX.
Germany
Ships in commission in Eastern waters, 76 Ships struck off effective list, 47 Special serwce vessels, 214 Submarines, 47, 89, 257 Supplementary naval programme, 48 Table showing annual amount of naval expenditure since 1903, 90 Table showing annual amount voted for new construction since 1903, 90 Table showing number of ships in commission and reserve, 74 Torpedo flotilla, 47, 89, 257 Gibraltar, 189 Gilyak, 232
Giorgios Averoff, 216, plate 41 Giulio Cesare, 48, 217, plate 42 Giuseppe Garibaldi, 217, plate 45 Glasgow, 189 Gloure, 204, plate 30 Glory, 181, plate 6 Gloucester, 189 Gneisenau, 209, plate 39 Goeben, 46, 209, plate 37 Goliath, 181, plate 6 Good Hope, 181, plate 12 Gota, 236 Governolo, 219 Grafton, 189

475
61, 221, plate 46

Haruna,

Hashidate, 224 Hawke, 189 Hayti, ships belonging

to,

245

Heibetnuma, 238 Heimdal (Danish), 202 Heimdal (Norwegian), 228

Hekla, 202 Helena, 243 Helgoland, 44, 209, plate 33 Henri IV., 204, plate 26 Hercules, 21, 181, plate 2 Herluf Trolle, 202, plate 21 Hermes, 189 Hermione, 189 Hertha, 213 Hertog Hendrik, 226, plate 56 Hessen, 209, plate 35 Hibernia, 181, plate 4 Highflyer, 189 Hindustan, 181, plate 4 Hirado, 61, 224 Hiyei, 61, 221, plate 46 Hi-Ying, 201 Hizen, 221, plate 50

Hogue,

181, plate 13

Holland, 227 Hussar, 189 Hyacinth, 189 Hydra, 216

I.

Greece Naval programme, 64 Ships belonging to, 216 Torpedo flotilla, 257 Gromoboi, 230, plate 62

Ibuki, 221, plate 52 Idaho, 239, plate 72 Idzumo, 221, plate 53

Iki,

Gueydon, 204, plate 31

Guichen, 208

223 Ikoma, 221, plate 52

74
Illustrious, 182, plate 7

Illinois, 239, plate

Gunnery practice

of the British Fleet,

34, 435-445 Gustavo Sampaio, 199

213 Imperator Alexander III., 54, 230 Imperator Pavel I., 53, 231, plate 58
litis,

H.
(Austrian cruiser), 52, 197 Ilabsburg, 196, plate 17 Hai-Chi, 201 ilai-Shen, 201 Hai-Shew, 201 Hai-Yung, 201

Hamburg, 213
Hamidieh, 238, plate 68 Hampshire, 181, plate 11
Hannibal, 181, plate 7 Hannover, 209, plate 34 Hansa, 213 Harald Uaarfagre, 228

Imperatritsa Maria, 54, 231 Imperial Conference and Naval Policy of the Dominions, 371, 372, 459-466 Implacable, 182, plate 6 Indefatigable, 25, 182, plate 9 Independencia, 194 Indiana, 239 Indomitable, 25, 182, plate 9 Inflexible, 182, plate 9 Invincible, 182, plate 9 loann Zlatoust, 34, 231, plate 58 Iowa, 240
Irene, 213 Irene (Ersatz), 47, 213
Iridc,

219
G

Iron Duke, 25, 182

Irresistible, 182, plate

476
Isis,

INDEX.
189
Auxiliary cruisers, 220 Battleships built and building, 79
Effective fighting ships, built building, 88 Naval Estimates, 51, 453, 454

Japan
Table showing annual amount of naval expenditure since 1903, 90 Table showing annual amount voted for new construction since 1903, 90 Torpedo flotilla, 61, 89, 259, 260 Jaureguiberry, 204, plate 27 Jean Bart, 38, 205, plate 23 Jeanne d'Arc, 205, plate 31 Jemchug, 232 Jules Ferry, 205, plate 29 Jules Michelet, 205 Juno, 189
Jupiter, 182, plate 7 Jurien de la Graviere, 208, plate 32 Justice, 205, plate 24

Italy

and

Naval Features of the Turkey, 146-174 Ordnance Tables, 350

Personnel of Navj', 467

War

with

Programme
48-51
Relative

of

new

construction,
in

strength

modern

battleships, 81

Salving of the San Giorgio, 49 Ships belonging to, 217-220 Ships captured from Turkey, 51, 174 Submarines, 51, 89, 259 Table showing annual amount of naval expenditure since 1903, 90 Table showing annual amount voted for new construction since 1903, 90 Table showing number of ships in commission and reserve, 74 Torpedo flotilla, 50, 89, 258 Itsukushima, 224 Iver Hvitfeldt, 202 Iwami, 222, plate 49 Iwate, 221, plate 53

K.
Iv

(German

battle-cruiser), 46,

209

Kagul, 232
Kaiser, 44, 210

Kaiser Barbarossa, 210 Franz Josef I., 197 ,, Friedrich TIL, 210, plate 36 Karl der Grosse, 210, plate 36 ,, Karl VI,, 196, jjlate 18 Wilhelm der Grosse, 210, ,, plate 36 Wilhelm II., 210, plate 36
Kaiserin, 45, 210
,,

Augusta, 213

J.

J (Austrian cruiser), 52, 197 Jacob Bagge, 237 Jacob van Heemskerck, 226
Jaguar, 213

Elizabeth, 197 Maria Theresia, 196 Kansas, 240, plate 72 Kasagi, 224

Jaime Japan

I.,

67, 234, plate

64

Battleships built and buildmg, 79 Cabinet Meeting respecting naval

Kashima, 222, plate 48 Kasuga, 222, plate 53 Katori, 222, plate 48 Kawachi, 60, 222, plate 47 Kazarsky, 232 Kearsarge, 240
Kent, 182, plate 12 Kentucky, 240 Kersaint, 208 Kheyr-ed-Din Barbarossa, 238 Khrabry, 231 Kien-Gnan, 201 men- Wei, 201

programme, 60
Effective fighting ships, built building, 88

and

Increased docking accommodation 61 Naval Estimates, 455 Personnel of Navy, 467

Programme
60,61
Eelative

of

new

construction,
in

King Alfred, 182, plate 12 King Edward VII, 182, plate 4 King George V, 24, 182, plate 1
Kirishima, 61, 222, plate 46 Ivleber, 205, plate 30 Kolberg, 213 K5ln, 213 Komet, 197 Kongo, 61, 222, plate 46

strength

modern

battleships, 81

Ships belonging to, 221-225 Ships in commission, 76 Special service ships, 225 Submarines, 61, 89, 260

INDEX.
Konig Albert,
45,

477

210

Konigsberg, 213

Koningin liegentes, 226, plate 56 Koningen Wilhelmina der Nederlanden, 226

Koreits, 232

Marine Engineering Advantages of oil fuel for boilers, 96,97 Advantages of superheated steam
in turbines, 100

Advantages
109

of the oil engine, 108,

Kortenaer, 226

Kurama, 222, plate 52 Kurfiirst Friedricli Wilhelm (Ersatz), 45, 210

Kwang-Ting, 201

British Colonial oilfields, 110 Choice of types of boilers, 92

L.
Hire, 208 Lancaster, 183, plate 12 Latouche-Treville, 206 Lauria, 235 Lavoisier, 208

Conditions of speed trials of battlecruisers, 91, 92 Cruising oil engines in a destroyer, 104 Designs of oil engines, 106, 107

La

Developments in turbines, 100 Distribution of the world's supply

of oil, 110 Experience with electrical propulsion, 103 Experience with oil fuel, 97 Experience with super - heated steam, 99

Laya, 235 Leipzig, 213 Leonardo da Yinci, 217, plate 42 Leon Gambetta, 205, plate 29 Lepanto, 235
Le\iathan, 182, plate 12 Libertad, 194 Liberte, Disaster to the, 42, 329-332 Liguria, 219 Lion, 23, 24, 183, plate 8 Liverpool, 189 London, 183, plate 6 Lord Nelson, 183, plate 4 Lorraine, 40, 205, plate 22 Lothringen, 210, plate 35 Louisiana, 240, plate 72 Lowestoft, 27, 189 Liibeck, 213 Luchs, 213 Lufti-Hamayoun, 238

Extended use of oil. 111 Geared turbines, 101 Large experimental oil
cylinders, 107

engine

Large tube
boilers,

versus small tiabe 92 ^Machinery of the battle-cruiser of the future. 111

Merchant ship

oil

engines, 107,

108 Oil engines for German battleships, 104, 105 Oil supply, 109, 110 Submarine-boat oil engines, 107 Superheated steam, 98, 99 Turbines with electrical propulsion, 101

Types of
Types

boilers for battle-cruisers,

92-94
of boilers in foreign of

high

M.
Machinery problems
warships, 91-111
in

speed ships, 94, 95

Weight
high-powered

battle-cruiser's

ma-

chinery, 91
boilers under high pressure, 95 Marlborough, 25, 183 Marques de la Victoria, 235

Working

Magdeburg, 46, 213 Magnet, 197

Magnificent, 183, plate 7 Maine, 240, plate 73

Marques de Molins, 235

Mars, 183, plate 7 Marsala, 49, 220 MarseUlaisc, 205, plate 30 Marshal Deodoro, 198 Marshal Floriano, 198 Marten Trouip, 226, plate 56 Martin Alonso Tinzon, 235 Maryland, 240, plate 75 Massachusetts, 240

Mainz, 213
Majestic, 183, plate 7

Makguino, 224 Manhattan, 240

Manligheten, 236, plate 65 Marco Polo, 217 Marietta, 243 Marine Engineering Machinery problems in high-powered warships Advantages of electrical propulsion, 102, 103

Massena, 205 Mecklenburg, 210, plate 35

478
Medea, 189
Medjidieh, 238, plate 68

INDEX.
Naval features of the Turco-Italian war, 146-174 Naval Gunnery, British
Abstract of results of battle practice, 1911, 445 Results of gunlavers' test, 1911, 435-444 Naval policy of the Dominions, 371, 372, 459-466 Naval war staffs^ British, 112-115, 385-390 French, 117-120 German, 116 United States, 120-128 Nebraska, 241, plate 78 Neptune, 21, 188. plate 2 Netherlands Gun vessels of the Dutch Indian Navy, 227 Naval Estimates, 65 Ordnance Tables, 847 ,, Programme, 65 ,, New submarines, 65, 261 Ships belonging to, 226, 227 Torpedo Flotilla, 65, 261 Nevada, 58, 241 Newcastle, 190 New Hampshire, 241, plate 72 New Jersey, 241, plate 78 New Orleans, 244 New York, 57, 241, plate 69 New Zealand, 25, 188 Niitaka, 224, plate 55 Nile, 185 Nino Bixio, 49, 220 Niobe (Canadian), 193 Niobe (German), 213 Nisshin, 228, plate 58 Njord, 236 Noord Brabant, 227 Norge, 228, plate 56 North Carolina, 241, plate 74 North Dakota, 241, plate 71

Medusa, 218 Melbourne, 31, 193 Melpomene, 189 Messoudieh, 288, plate 68
Meteor, 197 Mexico, Ships belonging to, 245 Michigan, 240, plate 71 Mikasa, 222, plate 49 Milwaukee, 240, plate 75 Minas Geraes, 198, plate 19 Minerva (British), 190 Minerva (Italian), 220 Ministro Zenteno, 200 Minneapolis, 244 Minnesota, 240, plate 72 Minoshima, 222 Minotaur, 188, plate 10 Mirabeau, 38, 205, plate 24 Mississippi, 240, plate 72 Missouri, 240, plate 78 Mogami, 224 Moltke, 46, 210, plate 87

Monarch (Austrian), 196, plate 17 Monarch (British), 22, 183. plate 1 Monmouth, 183, plate 12
Montana, 240, plate 74 Montebello, 220 Montcalm, 205, plate 31
Monterey, 241 Moreno, 62, 194, plate 14 Miinchen. 218

N.
Napoli, 218, plate 43 Nashville, 244 Nassau, 210, plate 34 Natal, 188, plate 10 Naval administration, suggestions on,

1-18 Naval Estimates

Austria-Hungary, 446 British, 1, 34, 367-434
British, contributions from India and the Colonies, 400, 401 British, First Lord's Explanatory Statement, 367, 394 British, First Lord's speech in

Norway
Naval ordnance tables, 351 Proposed naval programme, 66
Ships belonging
to,

Torpedo Nottingham, Novik, 238

flotilla,

228 262

27, 190

Nueve de Numbers

Julio, 195 of jiemonnel

of

principal

the House of Commons, 412-434 French, 447-450

451, 452 Italian, 51, 453, 454
1,

navies, 467

German,

Numberg, 21^ Nymphe, 213

Japanese, 455 Netherlands, 65 Russian, 53, 456 Turkish, 457

O.

United States,

1,

458

Ocean, 183, plate 6 Oden, 286

INDEX.
Ohio, 241, plate 7o Okinoshinia, 22:5 (.)klahama, iiS, 241 Oldenburg, 210, plate 38 Oleg, 2;U{, plate 6:5 Olfeit Fischer, 202, plate 21 Ordnance Tables Austrian Naval, 345
Pelorus, 190

479

Pennsylvania, 241, plate 75 Perseus, 190

Peru

Naval programme, 246 Ships belonging to, 245

Pctropavlovsk, 54, 231, plate 57 Philomel, 190 Piet-Hein, 226 Pioneer, 190 Pisa, 218, plate 44 Planet, 197 Poltava, 54, 231, plate 57 Ponnuern, 210, plate 34 Portugal Loss of the Sao Rafael, 66 Proposed naval programme, 66 Ships belonging to, 229

Betlilehem Steel Co., 3(jl Bofoi-e guns, 362 British ritled, 342-344 Coventry ordnance works" guns, 358 Danish Naval, 346 Dutch Naval, 347 Elswick guns, 356 French Naval, 348, 349 German Naval, 360 Italian Naval, 350 Krupp gvms, 360 Norway Naval, 351 Keiating to Conversion of ^Measures, 363, 364 Russian Naval, 352 Schneider, 359 Spanish Naval, 353 Swedish Naval, 354 United States Naval, 355 Vickers, Sons & Maxim's Guns, 357 Oregon, 241
Orion, 22, 183, plate
1

Torpedo

flotilla,

262

Posadnik, 233 Posen, 211, plate 34

Pothuau, 206, plate 32 Presidente En-azuriz, 200 Preussen, 211, plate 35 Prince George, 184, plate 7 I'rince of Wales, 184, plate- 6 Princessa de Asturias, 234
Princess Pioyal, 24, 184, plate S Princeton, 244 Prinz Adalbert, 211, plate 40 Prinz Heinrich, 211, plate 40 Prinz Regent Luitpold, 45. 211 Prinzess Wilhelm, 213 Prinzess "Wilhelm (Ersatz), 47, 213 Prometheus, 190 Proserpine, 190 Provence, 40, 206, plate 22 Psara, 216 Psilander, 237 Psyche, 190 Pueyrredon, 194 Puglia, 220 Puritan, 241

Omen, 237
Oscar
II., 236, plate 65 Ostfriesland, 44, 210, plate 33

Otawa, 224

P.

Paducah, 244
Pallada, 231

Pamyat Mercuria, 233 Pandora, 190 Pantelehnon, 231. plate 60 Panther, 213 Parana, 195 Paris, 39, 205 Partenope, 220 Pathfinder, 190 Patria (Argentine), 195 Patria (Portugal), 229 Patrie, 205, plate 25 Patrol, 190 Peder Skram, 202, plate 21 Pegasus, 190 Peik-i-Shevket, 238 Pelayo, 234 Pelenk-i-deria, 238 Pelikan 197

Pyramus, 190

Q.

Quarto, 49, 220

Queen, 184, plate 6 Queen Mary, 25, 184. plate 8

R.

Radetzky, 196, plate 10 Rainbow, 193 Raleigh, 244 Ramillies, 185 Recalde, 235

480

INDEX.
Special service vessels, 233 Submarines, 89, 263 Table showing annual amount of naval expenditure since 1903, 90 Table showing annual amount voted for new construction since 1903, 90 Table showing number of ships in commission and reserve, 74 Torpedo flotilla, 89, 263 Volunteer Fleet, 233

Eecent changes in warship design, 124-145 Dreadnoughts and post-Dreadnoughts, 133-143 Essential differences between preDreadnoughts and Dreadnoughts, 124-133
Relative cost of recent warships,

143-145 Eegina Elena, 218, plate 43 Regina Margherita, 218, plate 43 Reina Regente, 235 Reinier Claeszen, 226 Renown, 184 Republica (Brazil), 199 (Portugal), 66, 229
Republique, 205, plate 25

S.

Reshad

V., 67, 238, plate 67 Reshad-i-Hamiss, 67, 238, plate 67

Resolution, 185

Re Umberto, 218
Revenge, 185 Rheinland, 211, plate 34

S (German battleship), 45, 211 Sagami, 223, plate 50 St. Georg, 196, plate 18 St. Louis (France), 206, plate 26 St. Louis (United States), 241, plate 75
Vincent, 21, 184, plate 3 Salem, 244 San Giorgio, 49, 218, plate 45 San Marco, 218, plate 45 Santo-Domingo, Ships belonging to,246 Sao Gabriel, 229 Sao Paulo, 198, plate 19 Sapphire, 191 Sappho, 191 Sarawak, Ships belonging to, 246 Sai'degna, 218 Satellit, 197 Satsuma, 223, plate 48 Scharnhorst, 211, plate 39 Schlesien, 211, plate 34 Schleswig-Holstein, 211, plate 34 Schwaben, 211, plate 35 Scylla, 191 See-Adler, 214 See-Adler (Ersatz), 47, 214
St.

Rhode

Island, 241, plate 73

Rio de Janeiro, 63, 198, plate 19 Rio de la Plata, 235 Rio Grande do Sul, 199
Rivadavia, 62, 194, plate 14 River gunboats, list of, 192 Roma, 218, plate 43 Roon, 211, plate 39 Rosario, 195 Rossia, 231, plate 62 Rostislav, 231, plate 60

Roumania
Naval programme, 246
Ships belonging
to,

246

Torpedo flotilla, 262 Roxburgh, 184, plate 11 Royal Arthur, 191 Royal Oak, 185 Royal Sovereign, 185
Rurik, 231, plate 61
Russell, 184, plate 5

Russia
Baltic Fleet, 71 Battleships built and building, 79 Efifective lighting ships, built and building, 88 Naval bases and coast defence, 55

Sentinel, 191 Settsu, 60, 223, plate 47 Sevastopol, 54, 231, plate 57 Seydlitz, 46, 209 Sfaktirea, 216 Shannon, 184, plate 10

Estimates, 53, 456 Ordnance Tables, 352 Programme, 55, 231 ,, Personnel of Navy, 467 strength in modern Relative battleships, 81 Ships belonging to, 230-233 Ships converted into mine layers, 55 Ships removed from effective list, 55
,, ,,

Shikinami, 224 Shikishuna, 223, plate 51 Shikuma, 61, 225 Siam, Ships belonging to, 246 Sicilia, 218 Sinope, 231 Sirius, 191 Sivoutch, 233 Skirmisher, 191
Skjold, 202 Slava, 231, plate' 59

Southampton, 26, 191 South Carolina, 24, plate 71 South Dakota, 242, plate 75

INDEX.
Soya, 225, plate 55

481

The Turco-Italian
Italian
,,

War-

Spain Naval ordnance tables, 353 programme, 66 ., Ships belonging to, 234, 235 Torpedo Hotilla, 264
Spai-tiate, 191

Naval development, 150 personnel and or,,

Spetsai, 216 Stettin, 214

Stralsund, 47, 214 Strasburg, 47, 214

Strjelok, 249 Stuttgart, 214 Suflfolk, 184, plate 12 Suffren, 206, plate 25

Suggestions on naval administration, 1-18 Suma, 225 Suo, 223, piate 50 Superb, 21, 185, plate 3 Surcouf, 208
Sutlej, 184, plate 13

Sutsnva, 225 Svea, 236

Sweden
Naval ordnance tables, 354 Proposed Naval programme, 67
Ships belonging
to,

236, 237

Torpedo

flotilla,

264

Swift, 191 Swiftsure, 184, plate 5

Sydney, 31, 193 Szigetvar, 197

T.

Tacoma, 244
Talbot, 27, 191

Taymovo, 199
Tango," 223, plate 51 Tappcrheten, 236. plate 65 Tatsuta, 225 Tchu-Tai, 201 Tegetthoff, 52, 196 Temeraire, 21, 185, plate 3 Tennessee, 242, plate 74 Terrible, 191 Texas, 57, 242, plate 69 Theseus, 191 Thetis, 214 The Turco-Italian War Its Features, 146, 174

Naval

British Naval oflicers lent for reorganisation of Turkish Fleet, 155, 156

Conduct of Naval forces, 174 Contraband of war, 171, 172 Death of Adiuinil Aubv, 173
Italian Fleet, 150-154," 157 naval bases, 152 ,,

ganisation, 152 plan of operations, 160 nltimatiim, 147 ,, Limits of war area, 148 Mobilisation of Italian Fleet, 158 Narrative of the operations, 156174 Occupation of Tripoli. 163-165 Operations in the Adriatic, 160-163 Ecd Sea, 165-168 ., Ottoman naval unreadiness, 148, 149, 154 Questions of neutrality, 170, 171 Strained relations, 146 Strategical problems, 148 Transport of the Expeditionarv Force, 168-170 Tripoli and CjTenaica, 149 Turkish Fleet, 154-156 Naval distribution, 159 ,, AVarning symptoms, 147 Thor, 236 Thule, 236 Thunderer, 22, 23, 185, plate 1 Thiiringen, 44, 211, plate 33 Tiger (British), 26, 185 Tiger (German), 214 Timbira, 199 Tiradentes, 199 Tokiwa, 223, plate 54 Tone, 225 Topazc, 191 Torkenskjold, 228 Torpedo-boat flotillas. List of-Argentine, 252 Austria-Hungar}-, 252 Brazil, 253 British, 247-251 Colonial, 251 ,, Chili, 253 China, 253 Denmark, 254 France, 254-256 Germany, 257 Greece, 257 Italy, 258, 259 Japan, 259, 260 Netherlands, 261 Norway. 262 Portugal, 262 Koumania, 262 Russia, 263 Spain, 264 Sweden, 264 Turkey, 265 United States, 265, 266 Tnibant, 197 Trehouart, 206, plate 28 2 I
,,

482
Tria Sviatitelia, 231, plate 61 Trinuiph, 185, plate 5 Tsugaru, 225 Tsukuba, 228, plate 52 Tsushima, 225, plate 55 Tupy, 199
>

INDEX.
Uruguay, Ships belonging Utah, 57, 242, plate 71
Utrecht, 227
to,

246

Turgut Keis, 238 Turkey Naval Estimates, 457

Features of the Italy, 146-174 programme, 67 ,, Ships belonging to, 238 Torpedo flotilla, 265 25 de Mayo, 195
,,

V.
Valparaiso, 200 Vanguard, 21, 185, plate 3 Varese, 218, plate 45 Vasco da Gama, 229

War

with

U.
Uji, 225

Undine, 214

Venerable, 185, plate 6 Venezuela, ships belonging to, 246 Vengeance, 185, plate 6 Venus, 192 Vergniaud, 38, 206, plate 24 Verite, 206, plate 24 Vermont, 242, plate 72 Vettor Pisani, 218 Vicksburg, 244 Victor Hugo, 206, plate 29 Victoria Luise, 214
Victorious, 185, plate 7 Viking, 228

Unnamed ships
Austrian battleships (2), Nos. VI. and VII., 196 Netherlands armoured gunboats (3), 226 Swedish coast defence ship, 236 United States Atlantic Squadron, 75 Auxiliary cruisers, 244 Battleships built and building, 79
Effective fighting ships, built and building, 88 Increase in personnel of Navy,
59, 467

Vincente Yahez Pinzon, 235 Vindictive, 192 Vineta, 214

Virginia, 242, plate 73 Viribus Unitis, 51, 196, plate 15
Vitiaz, 233 Vittorio Emanuele
III.,
.

218,

xA&ie

43 Voevoda, 233
Voltaire, 38, 206, plate 24 Von der Tann, 45, 211, plate 38

Naval bases and docks, 58 Estimates, 458 Ordnance tables, 355-361 ,, programme, 57, 58 ,, Review, 60 ,, War Staff, 120-123
,,

W.
Waldeck Rousseau,
38,

206

Opposition in Congress to great naval expansion, 58 Relative sti-ength in modern battleships, 80, 81 Report of the Secretary of the Navy, 56 Ships in commission in Eastern waters, 76 Special service ships, 244 Submarines, 58, 89, 266 Table showing annual amount of naval expenditure since 1903, 90 Table showing annual amount voted for new construction since 1903, 90 Torpedo flotilla, 58, 89, 265, 266 Voyage of the Delaware, 69

Warrior, 185, plate 10 Warship construction in Great Britain,

20,21

Warship design, recent changes

124-145

in,

Wasa, 236, plate 65 Washington, 242, plate 74 Weissenburg (Ersatz), 45, 211 Westfalen, 211, plate 34

West

Virginia, 242, plate 75

Wettin, 211, plate 35 Weymouth, 26, 192 Wheeling, 244

Wien, 196, plate 17 Wilmington, 244

Wisconsin, 242, plate 74 Wittelsbach, 211, plate 35 Worth, 211 Wyoming, 57, 242, plate 70

'

<

INDEX,
Z.

483

Yabagi, 61, 225

Yakumo,

223, plate 53

Yarmouth, 26, 192 Ying-Swei. 64, 201 Yodo, 225 Yorck, 211, plate 39

Zahringen, 211, plate 35 Zealandia (ex-New Zealand), 185. plate 4 Zealand, 227 Zelee, 208 Zenta, 197 >
Zrinyi, 51, 196, plate ley-

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